calm

verb

calmed; calming; calms

intransitive verb

: to become calm

—usually used with down

The mayor asked the protesters to calm down so she could speak.

transitive verb

: to make calm

—often used with down

He saw Fyodor hang his head low and try to calm himself down.

—Brandon Taylor

Synonyms of calm

• soothe
• lull
• quiet
• compose

Examples of calm in a Sentence

His words were effective in calming her fears.

The medicine helped calm her breathing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Callahan calmed the bats from there with a lineout and a strikeout and the teams were off to extra innings. —Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026

Some in the crowd shouted at each other as deputies surrounded them to calm the tension. —Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2026

The witness told police that McGriff was pulled outside of the home to calm down. —Briauna Brown, CBS News, 9 June 2026

Regular movement reduces tension, worry and restlessness, even short bouts can calm the mind and body. —Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing calm

• calm, cool, and collected
• cool/calm head
• the calm/lull before the storm

Rhymes for calm

• balm
• bom
• bomb
• dom
• halm
• hom
• malm
• mam
• mom
• palm
• pom
• pomme

Kids Definition

calm

1 of 3 noun

ˈkäm  ˈkälm 

1

a

: a period or state of freedom from storm, wind, or rough water

b

: complete lack of wind or the presence of wind of no more than one mile (1.6 kilometers) per hour

2

: a state of freedom from excitement or disturbance : peacefulness

calm

2 of 3 verb

: to make or become calm

calm

3 of 3 adjective

1

: marked by calm : still

a calm sea

2

: free from excitement or disturbance

a calm manner

calmly adverb

calmness noun