pacific

[ puh-sif-ik ]

adjective

1. tending to make or preserve peace; conciliatory:

   pacific overtures.

   Synonyms: dovish

2. not warlike; peaceable; mild:

   a pacific disposition.

   Synonyms: humane, gentle

   Antonyms: antagonistic, quarrelsome, argumentative

3. at peace; peaceful:

   a pacific era in history.

   Synonyms: quiet

4. calm; tranquil:

   The Wabash is a pacific river.

5. Pacific,
   1. of or relating to the Pacific Ocean.
   2. of or relating to the region bordering on the Pacific Ocean:

      the Pacific states.

noun

1. the Pacific. Pacific Ocean.
2. Pacific, a steam locomotive having a four-wheeled front truck, six driving wheels, and a two-wheeled rear truck.

pacific

¹

/ pəˈsɪfɪk /

adjective

1. tending or conducive to peace; conciliatory
2. not aggressive; opposed to the use of force
3. free from conflict; peaceful

Pacific

²

/ pəˈsɪfɪk /

noun

1. the Pacific
   short for Pacific Ocean

adjective

1. of or relating to the Pacific Ocean or its islands

Derived Forms

• paˈcifically, adverb

Other Words From

• nonpa·cific adjective
• unpa·cific adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pacific¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French pacifique, from Latin pācificus, literally, “peacemaking,” equivalent to pāci- (combining form of pāx “peace”) + -ficus adjective suffix; peace, -fic

Word History and Origins

Origin of pacific¹

C16: from Old French pacifique, from Latin pācificus, from pāx peace + facere to make

Example Sentences

Back in Paris, the reaction from right-wing members of the Paris Assembly has been anything but pacific.

From BBC

The beginning of wisdom is the quest to master one's fear, the urge to turn away from fear-driven hatreds, to find better, more pacific, more loving ways.

From Salon

The company said its pacific business was continuing to see growth along with operational recovery post COVID, which presented Westpac an option to invest in the operations.

From Reuters

The US marked its diplomatic presence at the presidential country retreat by brokering a thaw in the relationship of the two pacific nations in the face of growing Chinese expansionism.

From BBC

“We know we are stronger when we combine our collective efforts and focus on pacific regionalism and the priorities of the blue pacific continent,” Hipkins said.

From Reuters

More About Pacific

What does pacific mean?

The adjective pacific means peaceful, calm, tranquil, or nonviolent.

When capitalized, Pacific is best known as the name of the Pacific Ocean, often simply called the Pacific.

The adjective pacific is not used nearly as often as some of its common synonyms, such as peaceful.

Example: While their neighbors were known as warriors, the tribe was pacific, specializing in trade.

Where does pacific come from?

The first records of pacific come from the mid-1500s. It comes from the Latin pācificus, meaning “peacemaking.” Its ultimate root, the Latin pāx (meaning “peace”), is also the basis of peace.

The Pacific Ocean was named by navigator Ferdinand Magellan in Portuguese as Mar Pacifico, meaning “peaceful sea,” due to the fact that its waters were calm when he first reached it. The word Pacific in relation to the ocean can also be used to identify the places that border it, as in Pacific coast and Pacific region.

The adjective pacific can be used to describe other things as calm or tranquil, especially outdoor spaces or even other bodies of water. More commonly, it can be used to describe actions intended to preserve peace, or peoples who avoid war, or periods of time without war. Still, in all these cases, the word peaceful is much more commonly used.

The related words pacifist and pacifistic refer to people who are opposed to war or violence of any kind.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to pacific?

• nonpacific (adjective)
• unpacific (adjective)
• pacifically (adverb)

What are some synonyms for pacific?

• peaceful
• calm
• tranquil
• peaceable

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

• peace
• pax

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

• ocean
• peace
• nonviolence

What are some words pacific may be commonly confused with?

• specific
• pacifistic

How is pacific used in real life?

When used in reference to the ocean, Pacific can be applied as a modifier in a number of ways, including to refer to the places near it and the people who live on its islands.

Nicely aligned at sunset along the Pacific Coast pic.twitter.com/GeEcuPWQ3w

— Shikha (@shikha_shrivas) February 15, 2020

So Moana was beautiful but really hits home just how much of a catastrophe European invasion and colonisation was on Pacific peoples

— STEMLORD and Science Queen (@upulie) September 22, 2017

“We are a pacific people. We are driven by the will of justice, by the will of freedom. & our only weapons are our votes” #mayorsforfreedom pic.twitter.com/fFHklCq1Oi

— Andreu Francisco 🎗 (@andreufrancisco) November 7, 2017

 

 

Try using pacific!

Is pacific used correctly in the following sentence? 

The pacific nation often used its large military to influence neighboring countries.