pacific

American  

[puh-sif-ik] / pəˈsɪf ɪk /

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.

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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 British  

/ pəˈsɪfɪk /

adjective

1. tending or conducive to peace; conciliatory

2. not aggressive; opposed to the use of force

3. free from conflict; peaceful

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Pacific ² British  

/ pəˈsɪfɪk /

noun

1. short for Pacific Ocean

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adjective

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

Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• nonpacific adjective
• pacifically adverb
• unpacific adjective

Etymology

Origin of pacific

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

Example Sentences

Transborder continued to drag from geopolitical issues, while pacific continued to see the impact of yield normalization following the prior year’s industry capacity growth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 5, 2025

In the city in Canada's pacific northwest, Ms Yamauchi's story is as common as the rainy weather.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2025

Submit your theories by noon pacific on Friday, April 4, and in the meantime, catch up with all of our coverage of “The White Lotus.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2025

In 2019, Kennedy visited the pacific island of Samoa with CHD to campaign against a measles vaccine.

From Salon • Nov. 6, 2024

This, from one who was ever pacific in nature.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson