characterized by peace; free from war, strife, commotion, violence, or disorder: a peaceful reign; a peaceful demonstration.
of, relating to, or characteristic of a state or time of peace.
peaceable; not argumentative, quarrelsome, or hostile: a peaceful disposition.
Origin of peaceful
First recorded in 1250–1300,peaceful is from the Middle English word pesful. See peace, -ful
Related formspeace·ful·ly, adverbpeace·ful·ness, nounqua·si-peace·ful, adjectivequa·si-peace·ful·ly, adverbsem·i·peace·ful, adjectivesem·i·peace·ful·ly, adverbun·peace·ful, adjectiveun·peace·ful·ly, adverbCan be confusedpeaceablepeaceful (see synonym study at the current entry)
1. 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.
early 14c., "inclined to peace, friendly, pacific," from peace + -ful. Meaning "tranquil, calm, full of peace" is from mid-14c. In reference to nonviolent methods of effecting social change, it is attested from 1876. Related: Peacefully; peacefulness. Peaceful coexistence (1920) originally was in regard to Soviet policy toward the capitalist West.
