calm

¹calm

noun \ˈkäm, ˈkälm, ˈkam, ˈkȯ(l)m\

Definition of CALM

1

a : a period or condition of freedom from storms, high winds, or rough activity of water

b : complete absence of wind or presence of wind having a speed no greater than one mile (1.6 kilometers) per hour — see beaufort scale table

2

: a state of tranquillity

Examples of CALM

1. After two days of violent protests, the mayor appealed for calm.
2. The calm was broken by another terrorist bombing.
3. the calm of a church
4. Police tried to restore calm after the riot.
5. A quiet calm settled over the city.

Origin of CALM

Middle English calme, probably ultimately from Old Spanish calma, from Late Latin cauma heat, from Greek kauma, from kaiein to burn

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CALM

Synonyms

calmness, hush, peace, peacefulness, placidity, quiet, quietness, quietude, repose, restfulness, sereneness, serenity, still, stillness, tranquillity (or tranquility)

Antonyms

bustle, commotion, hubbub, hurly-burly, pandemonium, tumult, turmoil, unquietness, unrest, uproar

Related Words

lull, pause, respite; silence; mildness, soothingness; comity, concord, harmony; casualness, easygoingness, informality, laid-backness, relaxedness

Near Antonyms

clamor, din, noise, racket

Rhymes with CALM

bomb, bombe, gaum, Guam, glom, mom, palm, Pom, pram, prom, psalm, ROM, tom

²calm

verb

Definition of CALM

intransitive verb

: to become calm —usually used with down

transitive verb

: to make calm —often used with down

Examples of CALM

1. His words were effective in calming her fears.
2. The medicine helped calm her breathing.

First Known Use of CALM

14th century

Related to CALM

Synonyms

becalm, compose, lull, lullaby, quiet, quieten [chiefly British], salve, settle, soothe, still, tranquilize (also tranquillize)

Antonyms

agitate, discompose, disquiet, disturb, key (up), perturb, upset, vex

Related Words

appease, conciliate, hush, mollify, pacify, placate; allay, alleviate, assuage, ease, lay, mitigate, quell, relax, relieve, solace; narcotize, sedate, stupefy

Near Antonyms

aggravate, heighten, intensify; arouse, excite, foment, incite, rouse, stir (up), work up

³calm

adjective

Definition of CALM

1

: marked by calm : still <a calm sea>

2

: free from agitation, excitement, or disturbance

— calm·ly adverb

— calm·ness noun

Examples of CALM

1. The teacher asked us to remain calm after the fire alarm went off.
2. Let's try to have a calm discussion about your grades.

First Known Use of CALM

14th century

Related to CALM

Synonyms

halcyon, hushed, lown [dialect], peaceful, placid, quiet, serene, still, stilly, tranquil, untroubled

Antonyms

agitated, angry, inclement, restless, rough, stormy, tempestuous, turbulent, unquiet, unsettled

Related Words

balmy, clement, equable, gentle, mild, moderate, temperate; clear, cloudless, fair, rainless, sunny, sunshiny, windless

Near Antonyms

blizzardy (also blizzardly), blustery, squally, windy; extreme, foul, intemperate, nasty, severe

Synonym Discussion of CALM

calm, tranquil, serene, placid, peaceful mean quiet and free from disturbance. calm often implies a contrast with a foregoing or nearby state of agitation or violence <the protests ended, and the streets were calm again>. tranquil suggests a very deep quietude or composure <the tranquil beauty of a formal garden>. serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquillity <watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening>. placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency <remained placid despite the criticism>. peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil <grown peaceful in old age>.