serene
Americanadjective
-
calm, peaceful, or tranquil; unruffled.
a serene landscape;
serene old age.
- Synonyms:
- collected, composed, unperturbed, imperturbable, undisturbed
- Antonyms:
- disturbed
-
serene weather.
- Synonyms:
- unclouded
- Antonyms:
- clouded
-
Usually Serene most high or august (used as a royal epithet, usually preceded by his, your, etc.).
His Serene Highness.
noun
-
the serene of early morning at the lake.
-
Archaic. a clear or tranquil expanse of sea or sky.
adjective
-
peaceful or tranquil; calm
-
clear or bright
a serene sky
-
(often capital) honoured: used as part of certain royal titles
His Serene Highness
Synonym Usage
See peaceful.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of serene
First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English, from Old French serein and Latin serēnus (of the sky, weather) “clear, unclouded”
Explanation
Choose the adjective serene to describe someone who is calm and untroubled. If you tell someone horrible news and they remain serene, you might wonder if they heard you! Related to the Latin word serenus "peaceful, calm, clear," serene was originally used in English, as in Latin, to describe calm weather. By the mid 1600s, however, it was used figuratively to describe a calm, untroubled person as well. Though people show their emotions pretty openly today, Victorian novels are full of characters who remain serene no matter how terrible the news.
Vocabulary lists containing serene
List 4
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Emotions on Display
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Mellow Out: Synonyms for "Calm"
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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.
“It’s a feeling of serene quietness and comfort and not feeling pressure or vulnerable,” Elston said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 6, 2026
Inside, the serene space boasts two fireplaces, two sitting rooms, an open kitchen, and four bedrooms.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 26, 2026
Yet, writes Mr. Burstein, Jefferson’s composed facade “fell out of alignment each time the serene farmer . . . surrendered to partisan combat.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026
The six-acre land now is a serene park.
From Salon • May 9, 2026
It has the calming, serene effect that an event like this needs.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
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.
