calm

[ kahm, kahlm ]

adjective

, calm·er, calm·est.

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

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 by down ).

calm

/ 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

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

Derived Forms

• ˈcalmness, noun
• ˈcalmly, adverb

Other Words From

• calm·ing·ly adverb
• calm·ly adverb
• calm·ness noun
• qua·si-calm adjective
• un·calm adjective
• un·calm·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of calm¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of calm¹

C14: from Old French calme, from Old Italian calma, from Late Latin cauma heat, hence a rest during the heat of the day, from Greek kauma heat, from kaiein to burn

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. calm before the storm. calm before the storm ( def ).

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

In his nightly address, Zelensky also criticised China for its response to Moscow's new missile after China's foreign ministry said all parties should "remain calm and exercise restraint".

From BBC

Indeed when a BBC producer visited the Lwiro hospital earlier this week we found a much calmer scene: the long queues had gone and there were some empty beds in the children's ward.

From BBC

Whooping cough, a respiratory infection that is particularly deadly for infants, has been relatively calm since a 2019 outbreak in California, but officials fear a return.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead he seems to be a typical Dutch manager, and very cool and calm.

From BBC

If the judicial process can find quick and credible answers, that may calm the crowds.

From BBC

Related Words

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

More About Calm

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.

Where does calm come from?

The first records of the term calm come from around 1350. It ultimately comes from the Greek kaûma, meaning “burning heat.”

You might hear a few common phrases that use the term calm. One is calm down, which means “to make or become less agitated.” When you’re upset over a low grade, you might calm yourself down by taking deep, slow breaths. Another is calm before the storm, which describes a situation in which someone or something is calm before becoming agitated, similar to how an atmospheric pressure and wind current can produce a calming environment just before a storm occurs.

Finally, you might hear keep calm and carry on. This popular phrase was used in a poster in the UK during World War II to help encourage people at home to live life as normally as they could. The phrase has become a popular meme, with a lot of different advice replacing “carry on,” such as “don’t advise me,” “scroll on,” and “read memes.” Our favorite, though, is “keep calm and eat cupcakes” because everyone deserves a treat sometimes!

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to calm?

• calmingly (adverb)
• calmly (adverb)
• calmness (noun)
• uncalm (adjective)

What are some synonyms for calm?

• cool
• harmonious
• placid
• serenity
• pacify

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

• calmative

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

• de-stress
• peaceful
• weather
• water

How is calm used in real life?

Calm is a common word to describe a lack of excitement or upset.

Just a calm day off in new york with my family! wohoo

— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) December 2, 2012

I AM SO NERVOUS ITS SO PACKED I JUST LOOKED *calm down joanne*🙏 #joanneworldtour SOLD OUT ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🐾🐾🐾🐾

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) August 2, 2017

Great fans at the airport, you guys were so calm and wonderful, thank you 😊🙏🏼❤️

— Ashton Irwin (@Ashton5SOS) August 18, 2016

Try using calm!

Is calm used correctly in the following sentence?

When I saw the spider, I remained calm by screaming and running away.