tranquil
Americanadjective
-
free from commotion or tumult; peaceful; quiet; calm.
a tranquil country place.
- Antonyms:
- agitated
-
free from or unaffected by disturbing emotions; unagitated; serene; placid.
a tranquil life.
adjective
Synonym Usage
See peaceful.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of tranquil
First recorded in 1595–1605; earlier tranquill, from Latin tranquillus “quiet, calm, still”
Explanation
When a place or your state of mind is peaceful, quiet and serene, it is tranquil. Like a pond with no ripples, tranquil means calm and placid. A pleasant state of mind, with nothing to agitate or cause anxiety, can also be considered tranquil. As you struggle through your yoga poses, the teacher might annoyingly exclaim how tranquil you should be feeling, and when you and your siblings bicker over every little thing, your parents are wishing the house were more tranquil.
Vocabulary lists containing tranquil
Unit 1: Telling Details
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List 5
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"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 12–15
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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.
A trek to the site of the deadliest avalanche in California history reveals a surprisingly tranquil spot, a stark contrast to the frenzied 15 minutes that determined who survived.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
“A resort-style pool, tranquil lily ponds, meandering pathways, shaded terraces, and a full-size tennis court create moments of both recreation and quiet reflection, where the sounds of nature replace the pace of everyday life.”
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
In “Late Fame,” he’s now old and played by Willem Dafoe with a sense of tranquil equilibrium.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
Families have relived how their tranquil holidays in France turned into a race to escape raging wildfires.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
Therefore the shock she received can better be imagined than described, when he said in a perfectly tranquil tone, “Do you care to dance?”
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
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.
