tranquil

adjective

tran·​quil ˈtraŋ-kwəl How to pronounce tranquil (audio)
ˈtran-
1
a
: free from agitation of mind or spirit
a tranquil self-assurance
b
: free from disturbance or turmoil
a tranquil scene
2
: unvarying in aspect : steady, stable
tranquilly adverb
tranquilness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for tranquil

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 tranquil in a Sentence

the house was once again tranquil after the kids moved outside to play though she should have been upset, she felt oddly tranquil upon learning that she would not be receiving the scholarship
Recent Examples on the Web My favorite self-care practice is having a clean, clear, and tranquil space. Debra Edwards, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024 The backyard of her Silver Lake abode overlooks a tranquil Eastside on a Friday afternoon. Alyson Zetta Williams, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Despite all the people, the Grove felt separate and tranquil, with only a smattering of guests, uninterrupted views of the ocean, wait-less and higher-quality food, less boisterous background music, and pleasant glimpses down into the ship’s hubbub. Brett Berk, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2024 The lake itself was placid and shallow, tranquil and still. Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 The island's North West region stands out for its tranquil waters, renowned for being some of the calmest and clearest in the world, making diving easily accessible and enjoyable. Judy Koutsky, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 Like a weighted plumb line, his memories of their day together sank him into a deep, tranquil sleep. Elliot Ackerman, WIRED, 9 Feb. 2024 Since these early days, it’s developed a reputation as a tranquil hideaway with a gorgeous architectural and artistic footprint. Chadner Navarro, Travel + Leisure, 3 Feb. 2024 The decor for the remodeled guestrooms, which previously had a nautical theme embellished with bold red, white and Navy blue accents, now has a more tranquil, coastal vibe, much like the rest of the property. Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tranquil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English tranquill, from Latin tranquillus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tranquil was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near tranquil

Cite this Entry

“Tranquil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tranquil. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tranquil

adjective
tran·​quil ˈtraŋ-kwəl How to pronounce tranquil (audio)
ˈtran-
: free from disturbance or turmoil : quiet
tranquilly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on tranquil

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