1
: marked by or suggestive of utter calm and unruffled repose or quietude
a serene smile
2
a
: clear and free of storms or unpleasant change
serene skies
b
: shining bright and steady
the moon, serene in glory—
Alexander Pope
Alexander Pope3
: august
—used as part of a title
His Serene Highness
serenely
adverb
1
archaic
: a serene condition or expanse (as of sky, sea, or light)
2
archaic
: serenity, tranquility
Synonyms
Examples of serene in a Sentence
Adjective
Between the two Azorean blue belfries of Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, a serene statue of the Madonna gazes out at the harbor, cradling a small boat in her arm.
—Anita Diamant, National Geographic Traveler, September 2005
And Breeders' Cup day was anything but serene. The weather was … cold and often gray, with a 20-mile-an-hour headwind scouring the backstretch.
—Lorna Lentini, New York Times, 14 July 2002
For Ben and me, in Omaha in 1961, our lives were untroubled and serene. After six years of marriage, we seemed to have reached the happy ending to the national American Dream.
—Lois Mark Stalvey, The Education of a WASP, (1989) 1998
a serene woman who was everyone's source of support
Noun
Oft of one wide expanse had I been told / That deep-browed Homer ruled as his demesne: /Yet did I never breathe its pure serene / Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold: …
—John Keats, "On First Looking into Chapman's Homer," 1816
Anita Diamant, National Geographic Traveler, September 2005
And Breeders' Cup day was anything but serene. The weather was … cold and often gray, with a 20-mile-an-hour headwind scouring the backstretch.
—Lorna Lentini, New York Times, 14 July 2002
For Ben and me, in Omaha in 1961, our lives were untroubled and serene. After six years of marriage, we seemed to have reached the happy ending to the national American Dream.
—Lois Mark Stalvey, The Education of a WASP, (1989) 1998
a serene woman who was everyone's source of support
Noun
Oft of one wide expanse had I been told / That deep-browed Homer ruled as his demesne: /Yet did I never breathe its pure serene / Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold: …
—John Keats, "On First Looking into Chapman's Homer," 1816
Recent Examples on the WebTyler Shepherd, Detroit Free Press, 2 Apr. 2024
An incredible location in the countryside, among the most beautiful mustard fields, which just felt so serene and relaxing when everything else involved lots of walking and exploring.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2024
Amelia Island, the lush barrier island along Florida’s Atlantic coast, is a serene and unspoiled destination with stunning beaches, sand dunes, marches, and maritime forests.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2024
Carey looked serene in her birthday snapshot — with her eyes were closed, a big smile on her face and a pair of sunglasses at her side.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024
His demeanor was serene, straightforward, emphatic and detailed, even as many questions remained unanswered.
—Tim Arango Sinna Nasseri, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024
From serene to vibrant, there's a style for your child that will grow with her.
—Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2024
The serene Maria Spa is open to hotel guests and the public for a day fee and is already becoming a locals’ favorite.
—Blane Bachelor, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2024
Against a backdrop of serene skies and lush landscapes and directed by Loris Russier, Davido and Lila Iké deliver a captivating live performance, accompanied by dancers adding an extra layer of visual allure.
—Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Sapa, with its mountainous landscape, provides a serene retreat, especially for families seeking a quiet holiday.
—Tyler Shepherd, Detroit Free Press, 2 Apr. 2024
An incredible location in the countryside, among the most beautiful mustard fields, which just felt so serene and relaxing when everything else involved lots of walking and exploring.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2024
Amelia Island, the lush barrier island along Florida’s Atlantic coast, is a serene and unspoiled destination with stunning beaches, sand dunes, marches, and maritime forests.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 1 Apr. 2024
Carey looked serene in her birthday snapshot — with her eyes were closed, a big smile on her face and a pair of sunglasses at her side.
—Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024
His demeanor was serene, straightforward, emphatic and detailed, even as many questions remained unanswered.
—Tim Arango Sinna Nasseri, New York Times, 29 Mar. 2024
From serene to vibrant, there's a style for your child that will grow with her.
—Caitlin Sole, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2024
The serene Maria Spa is open to hotel guests and the public for a day fee and is already becoming a locals’ favorite.
—Blane Bachelor, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2024
Against a backdrop of serene skies and lush landscapes and directed by Loris Russier, Davido and Lila Iké deliver a captivating live performance, accompanied by dancers adding an extra layer of visual allure.
—Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'serene.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Serene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serene. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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