placid

adjective

plac·id | \ˈpla-səd

Definition of placid

: serenely free of interruption or disturbance placid skies a placid disposition also : complacent sense 1

Other Words from placid Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym What is the Difference Between placid, calm, tranquil, and serene? More Example Sentences Learn More about placid

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Other Words from placid

placidity \ pla-ˈsi-də-tē ,

plə- \ noun

placidly \ ˈpla-səd-lē

\ adverb

placidness noun

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

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.

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 Trump administration’s apparent indifference to European concerns boils the blood of even the most placid of Eurocrats. — Walter Russell Mead, WSJ, "Europe Is Feeling Trumped," 21 May 2018 For Vallera, that means creating a rather placid, very minimal record. — Britt Julious, chicagotribune.com, "Michael Vallera' s quest for perfect days ends in beauty," 17 May 2018 There is a motif of animals transported on vehicles, such as a placid duck riding in the back of a jitney and a nervous sheep in a cage being hauled by a tractor. — Peter Keough, BostonGlobe.com, "On the mat, on film, on his way, on the road," 5 July 2018 The backdrop to this placid scene of idyllic human industry in the remote wilderness is an imposing mountain in the Cascade Range. — Christopher Knight, latimes.com, "Grafton Tyler Brown's California scenes at Pasadena museum's final show," 30 June 2018 Indian River in northern Michigan, which bisects a town of the same name, is normally a placid, no-wake zone lined in tidy cottages and plied by pontoon boats. — Elaine Glusac, chicagotribune.com, "Start your boat engines: 'World's Toughest Outboard Marathon' revs up northern Michigan," 12 July 2018 Koalas, despite their placid appearance, can get touchy about being disturbed. — Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Quincy the San Diego Zoo's diabetic koala, gets help from Dexcom," 25 June 2018 But the results announced on Wednesday also revealed a decline in Goldman’s trading might, which has been drained by a potent combination of placid markets and quiet clients. — Tory Newmyer, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Trump is eager to claim credit for Apple moves. But it's a bit more complicated.," 18 Jan. 2018 Although not a large preserve, the views up and down the placid Farmington River are spectacular. — Peter Marteka, courant.com, "The Ruins Of An Engineering Wonder Along The Farmington River," 13 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'placid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.