calmer; calmest
1
: not angry, upset, excited, etc.
The teacher asked us to remain/stay calm after the fire alarm went off.
The capital city was calm despite rumors of a possible terrorist attack. [=people in the city behaved in the usual way; there was not a lot of excited or fearful activity in the city]
Let's try to have a calm discussion about your grades.
My brother is always calm, cool, and collected. [=he never gets very upset]
2
—used to describe weather that is not windy, stormy, etc.
a calm day
They're predicting calm winds today.
a calm sea [=a sea that has no waves or only very small waves]
1
: a quiet and peaceful state or condition
After two days of violent protests, the mayor appealed/pleaded for calm.
The calm was broken by another terrorist bombing.
the calm of a church
Police tried to restore calm after the riot.
A quiet calm settled over the city.
2
: a peaceful mental or emotional state
—usually singular
The coach was able to keep his calm during the game.
Everyone noticed her outward calm at the funeral.
calms; calmed; calming
1
: to become or to cause (someone) to become less upset, emotional, excited, etc.
The mayor tried to calm [=quiet, settle] the protesters.
His words were effective in calming her fears.
—often + downThe mayor tried to calm down the crowd.
—+ downThe mayor asked the protesters to calm down so he could speak.
He needs to calm down enough to tell police about the accident.
2
: to become or to cause (something) to become less active, violent, forceful, etc.
The winds calmed overnight.
—usually + downThe winds calmed down overnight.
The dispute over the new factory has finally calmed down.
The medicine helped calm her breathing.
—often + downWe need to calm the situation down a little.
Cite this Entry
“Calm.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/calm. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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