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

Explanation

An old man watching his grandchildren play might look back fondly on his halcyon days, remembering the peaceful, happy time of his youth. The word halcyon comes from a story in Greek mythology about the halcyon bird, which had the power to calm the rough ocean waves every December so she could nest. Like those calm waters, halcyon has come to mean a sense of peace or tranquility. People often use the phrase halcyon days to refer idyllically to a calmer, more peaceful time in their past.

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

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

But that would require Scotland winning consecutive games for the first time since the halcyon days of those early Euro 2024 qualifiers last year.

From BBC • Nov. 14, 2024

They spend their time sailing, playing tennis, and sometimes recalling the halcyon days of crossing the moors behind packs of beagles to hunt down rabbits.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times