calm

American  

[kahm, kahlm] / kɑm, kɑlm /

adjective

calmer, calmest

1. without rough motion; still or nearly still.

   a calm sea.

   Synonyms:

   motionless, quiet

2. not windy or stormy.

   a calm day.

   Antonyms:

   tempestuous

3. free from excitement or passion; tranquil.

   a calm face;

   a calm manner.

   Synonyms:

   self-possessed, serene, unruffled, placid

   Antonyms:

   agitated

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noun

1. freedom from motion or disturbance; stillness.

2. Meteorology. wind speed of less than 1 mile per hour (0.447 meter per second).

3. freedom from agitation, excitement, or passion; tranquility; serenity.

   We look forward to the calm of the island after the summer residents have all returned to the mainland.

   She faced the possibility of death with complete calm.

verb (used with object)

1. to make calm.

   He calmed the excited dog.

   Synonyms:

   soften, soothe, mollify, assuage, allay, tranquilize, quiet, still

verb (used without object)

1. to become calm (usually followed bydown ).

idioms

1. calm before the storm. calm before the storm.

calm British  

/ kɑːm /

adjective

1. almost without motion; still

   a calm sea

2. meteorol of force 0 on the Beaufort scale; without wind

3. not disturbed, agitated, or excited; under control

   he stayed calm throughout the confusion

4. tranquil; serene

   a calm voice

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noun

1. an absence of disturbance or rough motion; stillness

2. absence of wind

3. tranquillity

verb

1. (often foll by down) to make or become calm

Usage

What does calm mean? Calm describes something that is still or barely moving, like a pond or a lake.Calm can also describe something that is relaxed or free from excitement, as in Yolanda felt calmer after meditating for a few minutes.Calm can also be used to describe the weather. A calm day isn’t windy or stormy. In meteorology, calm is a wind speed that is less than 1 mile per hour.As a noun, calm typically describes a lack of motion or a stillness in an area where there once was motion or there will be motion.Calm can also describe a notable lack of excitement or agitation that was expected to be caused, as in Roberta believed the only way to approach a big task was with calm and patience.Finally, as a verb, to calm something or someone means to bring it to a pause. You might calm your barking dog by petting it and talking to it in a soothing voice. You might calm an angry friend by talking with them quietly and listening to what’s bothering them.Example: When you feel nervous in front of a crowd, try to look calm and you’ll soon feel calm.

Related Words

Calm, collected, composed, cool imply the absence of agitation. Calm implies an unruffled state, especially under disturbing conditions: calm in a crisis. Collected implies complete inner command of oneself, usually as the result of an effort: He remained collected in spite of the excitement. One who is composed has or has gained dignified self-possession: pale but composed. Cool implies clarity of judgment along with apparent absence of strong feeling or excitement, especially in circumstances of danger or strain: so cool that he seemed calm.

Other Word Forms

• calmingly adverb
• calmly adverb
• calmness noun
• quasi-calm adjective
• uncalm adjective
• uncalmness noun

Etymology

Origin of calm

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noun and adjective calm(e), from Italian calma (noun), calmo (adjective), from Late Latin cauma “summer heat” (with l perhaps from Latin calēre “to be hot”), from Greek kaûma (stem kaumat- ) “burning heat”; akin to kaíein “to burn” ( caustic ); verb derivative of the noun

Example Sentences

Instead, he takes a nice big touch and it's just the calm nature in which he just clips it straight in from 47.4 yards.

From BBC

Space Force Capt. Gordon McCulloh was sitting in a military propeller plane high in the calm, dark sky over New Mexico on a recent Wednesday night when his squadron’s group chat blew up.

From The Wall Street Journal

And Stella was his usual calm, reasoned self.

From BBC

She said: "I'm trying to be calm because actually there's nothing I can do, is there?"

From BBC

Descriptors such as "intelligent," "obedient," "good with children," "dedicated," "calm," and "cheerful" appeared with similar frequency in both groups.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• allay
• alleviate
• appease
• assuage
• cool
• mitigate
• mollify
• pacify
• placate
• quiet
• relax
• relieve
• settle
• soothe
• steady