peaceful
Americanadjective
adjective
-
not in a state of war or disagreement
-
tranquil; calm
-
not involving violence
peaceful picketing
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of, relating to, or in accord with a time of peace
peaceful uses of atomic energy
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inclined towards peace
Synonym Usage
Peaceful, placid, serene, tranquil refer to what is characterized by lack of strife or agitation. Peaceful today is rarely applied to persons; it refers to situations, scenes, and activities free of disturbances or, occasionally, of warfare: a peaceful life. Placid, serene, tranquil are used mainly of persons; when used of things (usually elements of nature) there is a touch of personification. Placid suggests an unruffled calm that verges on complacency: a placid disposition; a placid stream. Serene is a somewhat nobler word; when used of persons it suggests dignity, composure, and graciousness: a serene old man; when applied to nature there is a suggestion of mellowness: the serene landscapes of autumn. Tranquil implies a command of emotions, often because of strong faith, which keeps one unagitated even in the midst of excitement or danger.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of peaceful
First recorded in 1250–1300, peaceful is from the Middle English word pesful; see peace, -ful
Explanation
Peaceful describes something calm and tranquil, not at war. The ocean seems peaceful when the waves lap gently at your feet, and a country can be peaceful when it's not fighting anyone. Peace comes from the Latin word pax meaning, "tranquility, absence of war." Add the suffix ful which means — you guessed it — "full" and you have something full of peace, like a protest where nobody gets hurt. It refers to being passive, committed to nonviolence, like Martin Luther King Jr.'s peaceful protests during the Civil Rights Movement. It's also the mellowness that inspired the Eagles to sing, "I got a peaceful, easy feeling that you won't let me down."
Vocabulary lists containing peaceful
Beowulf vocabulary
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"The Flying Machine" by Ray Bradbury
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President Obama's second inaugural address
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Home to fewer than 200 people and nestled on the edge of Dartmoor, this peaceful valley is reeling with the knowledge that police suspect foul play in the death of the former government minister.
From BBC • Jul. 11, 2026
The peaceful gathering drew a heavy police presence that took up most of the parking on the block.
From Salon • Jul. 9, 2026
The Apple TV show is set in a post-apocalyptic world in which most of humanity has been infected with an alien virus creating a peaceful hive mind, with only 13 outliers immune.
From Barron's • Jul. 8, 2026
Many older adults make decisions to preserve family harmony, avoid a never-ending conflict, or simply end a conversation to have a peaceful day.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 6, 2026
From a distance, the ocean seemed peaceful, but up close the waves smashed the sand.
From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
