equanimous

[ ih-kwan-uh-muhs ]

adjective

1. having or showing equanimity; even-tempered:

   It was difficult to remain equanimous in the face of such impertinence.

Other Words From

• e·quani·mous·ly adverb
• e·quani·mous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of equanimous¹

1645–55; < Latin aequanim ( us ) ( equanimity ) + -ous

Example Sentences

I called the first portrait I made “Equanimity,” and I do think she developed this mechanism of being equanimous and not giving anything away, to protect herself almost.

From New York Times

Schloss was likely underappreciated as an artist, being a woman and mother in a macho era, but she was equanimous and resourceful.

From New York Times

He appears equanimous and elegant, sitting in a back room of the Theatre Royal Bath, bearing the mildly aristocratic air of a gentleman farmer.

From The Guardian

One wonders whether he’d be so equanimous about living in a country where “Muslim-influenced morals legislation” was the law of the land.

From New York Times

Though she went to lengths to remain equanimous — describing Cannes as a nonpolitical festival and giving inoffensive answers on the subject of #MeToo and women in the film industry — she was also, at moments, fierce.

From Los Angeles Times

More About Equanimous

What does equanimous mean?

Equanimous means having emotional stability and composure, particularly in times of high stress.

Equanimous is the adjective form of the noun equanimity (calmness). The quality of being equanimous is often associated with spiritual and religious practices, especially the goals of Buddhism.

Example: It can be difficult for students to remain equanimous during final exams, so we encourage them to manage their stress in healthy ways.

Where does equanimous come from?

Equanimous comes from the Latin aequanim(us). It is a combination of aequus, meaning “equal,” and animus, meaning “mind.” Equanimous is first recorded in English in the mid-1600s.

The word equanimous has been used in religions and philosophical practices to describe a state of mind that people should strive for—essentially a state of calm and tranquility. In Buddhism and some other spiritual practices, one who is equanimous is said to have found a sense of peace (the noun form equanimity is often listed as one of Buddhism’s four “sublime states of mind”). Although equanimous is the adjective form of equanimity, it is typically used much more narrowly and much less commonly.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of equanimous?

• equanimity

What are some synonyms for equanimous?

• composed
• stable
• steady
• even-tempered
• tranquil

What are some words that share a root or word element with equanimous?

• equal
• equate
• animate

What are some words that often get used in discussing equanimous?

 

• calm
• stress
• mind
• emotion
• composure
• Buddhism
• ataraxia

 

How is equanimous used in real life?

Followers of some religions and philosophies strive to achieve an equanimous state of mind.

forgiveness is rooted in empathy, understanding and perspective. that’s the hardest part to understand, but when you do everything within feels equanimous

— divine astro goddess 🍃 (@melanatedmomma) December 26, 2019

An open heart – kind, joyful, compassionate, equanimous. Receptive, radiating universal unconditional love..

If you do not want to do this for others, do it for yourself – because YOU do not want to suffer anymore
There's no other way

Open your heart. Experience it's truth

2/2

— No Mud, No Lotus (@JoyfulAwareness) December 14, 2019

Yoga is not just about flexibility of the body. Real #yoga is about flexibility of the #mind.

Maintaining a peaceful, happy and equanimous state of mind, irrespective of situations or circumstances, is true yoga. pic.twitter.com/F034fR1BT7

— Swami Purnachaitanya (@purnachaitanya) February 3, 2019

 

 

Try using equanimous!

Which of the following is an antonym (opposite) of equanimous?

A. calm
B. placid
C. well-balanced
D. agitated