51Թ

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View synonyms for

calm

[kahm, kahlm]

adjective

calmer, calmest 
  1. without rough motion; still or nearly still.

    a calm sea.

    Synonyms: ,
  2. not windy or stormy.

    a calm day.

    Antonyms:
  3. free from excitement or passion; tranquil.

    a calm face;

    a calm manner.

    Synonyms: , , ,
    Antonyms:


noun

  1. freedom from motion or disturbance; stillness.

  2. Meteorology.wind speed of less than 1 mile per hour (0.447 meter per second).

  3. freedom from agitation, excitement, or passion; tranquility; serenity.

    We look forward to the calm of the island after the summer residents have all returned to the mainland.

    She faced the possibility of death with complete calm.

verb (used with object)

  1. to make calm.

    He calmed the excited dog.

    Synonyms: , , , , , , ,

verb (used without object)

  1. to become calm (usually followed bydown ).

calm

/ ɑː /

adjective

  1. almost without motion; still

    a calm sea

  2. meteorol of force 0 on the Beaufort scale; without wind

  3. not disturbed, agitated, or excited; under control

    he stayed calm throughout the confusion

  4. tranquil; serene

    a calm voice

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an absence of disturbance or rough motion; stillness

  2. absence of wind

  3. tranquillity

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (often foll by down) to make or become calm

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • calmingly adverb
  • calmly adverb
  • calmness noun
  • quasi-calm adjective
  • uncalm adjective
  • uncalmness noun
  • ˈԱ noun
  • ˈ adverb
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of calm1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noun and adjective calm(e), from Italian calma (noun), calmo (adjective), from Late Latin cauma “summer heat” (with l perhaps from Latin ŧ “to be hot”), from Greek 첹û (stem kaumat- ) “burning heat”; akin to 첹í𾱲 “to burn” ( caustic ); verb derivative of the noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of calm1

C14: from Old French calme, from Old Italian calma, from Late Latin cauma heat, hence a rest during the heat of the day, from Greek kauma heat, from kaiein to burn
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. calm before the storm. calm before the storm.

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Synonym Study

Calm, collected, composed, cool imply the absence of agitation. Calm implies an unruffled state, especially under disturbing conditions: calm in a crisis. Collected implies complete inner command of oneself, usually as the result of an effort: He remained collected in spite of the excitement. One who is composed has or has gained dignified self-possession: pale but composed. Cool implies clarity of judgment along with apparent absence of strong feeling or excitement, especially in circumstances of danger or strain: so cool that he seemed calm.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"The memorial has to be a place where we can feel a sense of calm, as we do every anniversary," adds Jackie.

From

The Australian government, however, is presenting a calm front.

From

The man I speak to is definitely still Heston - obsessing over the perfect peppercorn ratio - but now he's calm, focused, and self-aware.

From

Despite the pitching struggles, Dave Roberts remains a calm influence on his players and has the Dodgers in position to win the West again.

From

The constable appealed for "calm" over the coming weekend and said there will be a large police presence across Northern Ireland.

From

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When To Use

What does calm mean?

Calm describes something that is still or barely moving, like a pond or a lake.Calm can also describe something that is relaxed or free from excitement, as in Yolanda felt calmer after meditating for a few minutes.Calm can also be used to describe the weather. A calm day isn’t windy or stormy. In meteorology, calm is a wind speed that is less than 1 mile per hour.As a noun, calm typically describes a lack of motion or a stillness in an area where there once was motion or there will be motion.Calm can also describe a notable lack of excitement or agitation that was expected to be caused, as in Roberta believed the only way to approach a big task was with calm and patience.Finally, as a verb, to calm something or someone means to bring it to a pause. You might calm your barking dog by petting it and talking to it in a soothing voice. You might calm an angry friend by talking with them quietly and listening to what’s bothering them.Example: When you feel nervous in front of a crowd, try to look calm and you’ll soon feel calm.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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