Definition

1. Adjective:

   • (Of weather or sea) Free from storm, wind, or rough motion: Describes a state of stillness and tranquility in the natural environment.
   • Not agitated, excited, or disturbed; peaceful and self-possessed: Describes a person's emotional state or demeanor characterized by serenity and lack of anxiety.

2. Noun:

   • A state or period of stillness, especially of the air or sea: A condition marked by an absence of wind or disturbance.
   • A state of peacefulness and freedom from agitation, especially of the mind: A feeling of tranquility and composure.

3. Verb:

   • To make (someone or something) calm; to soothe or pacify: The act of reducing agitation, excitement, or disturbance.
   • To become calm; to settle down: The process of moving from a state of agitation to a state of tranquility.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • After the storm, the sea was finally calm.
  • She spoke in a calm voice despite the stressful situation.
• Noun:
  • A sudden calm fell over the forest.
  • He faced the crisis with remarkable calm.
• Verb:
  • She tried to calm the frightened child.
  • The wind calmed as the evening progressed.

Advanced Usage

• "The calm before the storm": A period of unusual quiet or stability that precedes a period of great activity, trouble, or upheaval.
  • The tense silence in the office felt like the calm before the storm of the merger announcement.
• "Calm and collected": A phrase describing someone who remains composed and in control, especially under pressure.
  • Throughout the emergency, the pilot remained calm and collected.

Variants and Related Words

• Calmly (adverb): In a calm manner.
  • He calmly explained the procedure.
• Calmness (noun): The quality or state of being calm.
  • Her calmness under pressure is admirable.
• Calming (adjective): Having the effect of making someone or something calm.
  • The music had a calming effect on the audience.

Synonyms

• Adjective/Noun: Serene, tranquil, peaceful, placid, composed, unruffled.
• Verb: Soothe, pacify, quiet, settle, lull.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Calm down: To become calm or to make someone calm after being upset or excited.
  • It took him ten minutes to calm down after the argument.
  • I tried to calm him down with a cup of tea.

Related Idioms

• Keep calm and carry on: An expression encouraging someone to remain composed and continue with their duties despite difficulties.
  • When the system crashed, our manager told us to keep calm and carry on.
• A calm sea never made a skilled sailor: Challenges and difficulties are necessary for developing strength and skill.
  • Don't be afraid of failure; remember, a calm sea never made a skilled sailor.

Adjective

1. (of weather) free from storm or wind
   • calm seas
2. not agitated; without losing self-possession
   • spoke in a calm voice
   • remained calm throughout the uproar
   • he remained serene in the midst of turbulence
   • a serene expression on her face
   • she became more tranquil
   • tranquil life in the country

Noun

1. wind moving at less than 1 knot; 0 on the Beaufort scale
2. steadiness of mind under stress
   • he accepted their problems with composure and she with equanimity

Verb

1. cause to be calm or quiet as by administering a sedative to
   • The patient must be sedated before the operation
2. become quiet or calm, especially after a state of agitation
   • After the fight both men need to cool off.
   • It took a while after the baby was born for things to settle down again.
3. make steady
   • steady yourself
4. make calm or still
   • quiet the dragons of worry and fear