placid

adjective

plac·​id ˈpla-səd 

: serenely free of interruption or disturbance

placid skies

a placid disposition

also : complacent sense 1b

placidity

pla-ˈsi-də-tē 

plə-

noun

placidly

ˈpla-səd-lē 

adverb

placidness noun

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What is the Difference Between placid, calm, tranquil, and serene?

Like placid, the words calm, tranquil, and serene all mean "quiet and free from disturbance." Calm conveys a quiet composure that contrasts with surrounding chaos, while tranquil suggests a very deep quietude and peace. Serene is loftier still, carrying a sense of utter peace and happiness. Though placid traces back to Latin placēre, meaning "to please," it isn't always as positive a term as its synonyms. It can imply a lack of agitation rather than a true peace, and it sometimes suggests excessive self-satisfaction or even stupidity.

Synonyms of placid

• serene
• calm
• peaceful
• composed
• tranquil

Choose the Right Synonym for placid

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 tranquility.

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

Examples of placid in a Sentence

a person with a sunny, placid disposition

the placid surface of the lake

Recent Examples on the Web

The name hums with nostalgia, and includes a placid nod to those coal-mining towns where people were paid in company scrip. —Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026

For almost 60 years, this was one of the city's least inviting landmarks, with increasingly stringent security deterring even the most placid of curious onlookers. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026

The notion of a placid start for the solar system’s solids has prevailed for the past half-century. —Javier Barbuzano, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026

The Chinese duo’s voices pirouette around a pulse that sounds like a car door chime as abortive crashes puncture the otherwise placid, kickless ambience. —James Gui, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin placidus, from placēre to please — more at please

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for placid

• acid
• antacid

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Kids Definition

placid

adjective

plac·​id ˈplas-əd 

: peacefully free of interruption or disturbance : peaceful, calm

a placid disposition

placidity

pla-ˈsid-ət-ē 

plə-

noun

placidly

ˈplas-əd-lē 

adverb