halcyon

American  

[hal-see-uhn] / ˈhæl si ən /

adjective

1. calm; peaceful; tranquil.

   halcyon weather.

   Synonyms:

   well-to-do, well-off, moneyed, rich, roaring, palmy, flourishing, joyous, joyful, golden, contented, windless, temperate, stormless, pleasant, mild, balmy, unruffled, still, serene, quiet, placid, pacific

2. happy; blissful; carefree.

   halcyon days of youth.

3. prosperous; wealthy.

   halcyon times of peace.

4. of or relating to the halcyon or kingfisher.

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noun

1. a mythical bird, usually identified with the kingfisher, said to breed about the time of the winter solstice in a nest floating on the sea, and to have the power of charming winds and waves into calmness.

2. any of various kingfishers, especially of the genus Halcyon.

3. Classical Mythology. Halcyon, Alcyone.

halcyon British  

/ ˈhælsɪən /

adjective

1. peaceful, gentle, and calm

2. happy and carefree

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noun

1. Greek myth a fabulous bird associated with the winter solstice

2. a poetic name for the kingfisher

3. 1. a fortnight of calm weather during the winter solstice

   2. a period of peace and happiness

Etymology

Origin of halcyon

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin, from Greek halkyṓn, pseudo-etymological variant of alkyṓn “kingfisher”; replacing Middle English alceon, alicion, from Latin alcyōn, from Greek

Example Sentences

I had one halcyon year and then it never really abated.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

With a 70% approval rating and hopes for an improving economy, Takaichi has decided to seize her moment with another tactic from Japan’s halcyon days.

From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026

We’re stuck in the between years—a dystopian digital doomscape that has job seekers and hirers picking through a landfill of A.I.-generated garbage and longing for the halcyon days of an analog past.

From Slate • Oct. 6, 2025

Whether that halcyon period of relative affordability is 2015 or 2006 or 2000 or 1980 varies by researcher and, likely, by the region being considered.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 27, 2025

Those were the salad days, the halcyon years!

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen