calmcalm1 /kɑːm $ kɑːm, kɑːlm/ ●●● S3 W3 adjective (comparative calmer, superlative calmest) 
Glen was calm and composed at the funeral.remain/stay/keep calm I tried to stay calm and just ignore him.2if a place, period of time, or situation is calm, there is less activity, trouble etc than there sometimes is, or than there has been recently: The financial markets are calm at the moment. The streets are calm again after last night’s disturbances.3a sea, lake etc that is calm is smooth or has only gentle waves: The seas were dead calm.—calmly adverb—calmness noun [uncountable]THESAURUScalm not getting angry, nervous, or upset, even in a difficult situation: · We’ll talk about this later when you’re feeling calmer.· Everyone praised Douglas for the calm way in which he handled the situation.relaxed not worried about anything, especially so that people feel comfortable: · Looking relaxed and confident, the president answered questions from the press.· There was a relaxed atmosphere.chilled-out (also chilled) informal very relaxed and not worried – used especially by young people: · I’m much more chilled-out about the whole thing this year.laid-back informal someone who is laid-back is always relaxed and never seems to get worried or annoyed about anything: · I like his laid-back attitude to life.· My parents are pretty laid-back and don’t mind me staying out late.mellow informal relaxed, friendly, and happy, especially after drinking alcohol: · After a few drinks, everyone was pretty mellow.cool informal staying calm and not showing your emotions, especially when other people are getting excited or angry: · He is the kind of player who always manages to stay cool, even under pressure.· She was as cool as a cucumber (=very cool).keep your head to manage to stay calm and behave in a sensible way in a difficult or frightening situation: · In this job you need to be good at keeping your head in a crisis.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- After yesterday's fighting, the region is now calm again.
- Everyone praised Douglas for the calm way in which he handled the situation.
- He has such a calm soothing voice - I could listen to him all night.
- His mother was a calm, slow-speaking woman.
- I was trying to sound calm even though I was very upset.
- It was a calm, clear, beautiful day.
- Joe is a very calm and competent flying instructor.
- Keep calm and try not to panic.
- My sister was always calm and careful, whereas I would get excited and upset by the slightest thing.
- Once on board, you can relax in calm, comfortable surroundings.
- The night was calm and warm.
- The sea was dead calm.
- Baldwin's main role was to keep his colleagues and the country as calm as possible.
- Even when Peter began, the sky was pale, the winds were calm, and the air was temperate.
- He is a Sikh, a religious man, very calm, kind.
- His eyes, which, moments earlier, had been filled with fear and horror, were now clear, almost calm.
- Hugh remained calm at the wheel, driving with the window open.
- Inside the reef, on calmer waters, the boy gratefully nodded off to sleep, exhausted by his ordeal.
- It created a picture of calm silent menace.
- So far, the menswear shows have had an air of calm rationality.
THESAURUS
not getting angry, nervous, or upset, even in a difficult situation: · We’ll talk about this later when you’re feeling calmer.· Everyone praised Douglas for the calm way in which he handled the situation.
not worried about anything, especially so that people feel comfortable: · Looking relaxed and confident, the president answered questions from the press.· There was a relaxed atmosphere.
(also chilled) informal very relaxed and not worried – used especially by young people: · I’m much more chilled-out about the whole thing this year.
informal someone who is laid-back is always relaxed and never seems to get worried or annoyed about anything: · I like his laid-back attitude to life.· My parents are pretty laid-back and don’t mind me staying out late.
informal relaxed, friendly, and happy, especially after drinking alcohol: · After a few drinks, everyone was pretty mellow.
informal staying calm and not showing your emotions, especially when other people are getting excited or angry: · He is the kind of player who always manages to stay cool, even under pressure.· She was as cool as a cucumber (=very cool).
to manage to stay calm and behave in a sensible way in a difficult or frightening situation: · In this job you need to be good at keeping your head in a crisis.
Longman Language Activatorcalm in a difficult situation not getting angry or upset, even in a difficult situation: · I was trying to sound calm even though I was very upset.· Everyone praised Douglas for the calm way in which he handled the situation.keep/stay calm: · Keep calm and try not to panic.
to stay calm and not show your emotions, especially when other people are getting excited or angry: · Sampras is the kind of player who always manages to stay cool, even under pressure.keep your cool (=not become angry): · He managed to keep his cool and ignore her last comments.
to manage to stay calm and to behave in a sensible way when something is likely to make you feel frightened or worried: · Paul's good at keeping his head in a crisis.· They were looking for a coach who could stay enthusiastic and keep his head at the same time.
in control of your emotions so that you look and feel calm in a difficult or upsetting situation: · I could see that she was angry but trying to remain composed.· It was several minutes before he felt composed enough to speak to anyone.
the ability to stay calm that makes someone able to do the right thing immediately even in a dangerous or difficult situation: · His presence of mind prevented a serious accident.presence of mind to do something: · I'm still amazed that a terrified 19-year-old would have the presence of mind to reason with her kidnapper.
informal calm in a difficult situation, especially one in which someone is trying to confuse or upset you: · Barton seemed unfazed by the accusations of corruption.· A few traders are concerned by the recent drop in the stock market, but most are not fazed.
able to behave sensibly, think clearly, and remain calm, even in a difficult situation: · A good pilot needs to be calm and level-headed.· He had a level-headed approach to financial matters.
usually calm always sensible and relaxed, rather than getting angry, excited, or upset in a difficult situation: · Joe is a very calm and competent flying instructor.· My sister was always calm and careful, whereas I would get excited and upset by the slightest thing.· He has such a calm soothing voice - I could listen to him all night.
someone who is relaxed is calm and does not seem to be worried about anything, and it is pleasant for other people to be with them: · George greeted us in his friendly relaxed way.· You seem much more relaxed since you changed jobs.
informal always relaxed and never seeming to worry about things that other people worry about: · Sue's always had a laid-back attitude toward life.· He's very laid-back and lets the kids do whatever they want.
always calm and satisfied and not often getting upset, angry, excited etc about anything: · She's a sweet, placid child who rarely gets upset or angry.· There was a worried look on her normally placid face.
to become calm to become calm again after you have been angry or upset: · I waited for him to calm down before I said anything.· He sat down and exhaled slowly, trying to calm down.
to calm down after you have been very angry: · Leave her alone until she cools down a bit.· I think you should both cool off, and maybe then you can sit down and discuss it rationally.
to deliberately make yourself look and feel calm after you have been upset: · She took several deep breaths to compose herself before going downstairs.· He waited a moment outside the door so that Philip would have time to compose himself.
especially British if you do something, especially have an alcoholic drink, to steady your nerves , you do it to make yourself calm: · They finally found him in the bar, where he had gone to steady his nerves.
to make someone calmer to make someone calm, especially after they have suddenly become angry or excited: calm somebody down: · Lois spent about an hour trying to calm him down.· I laid my hands on her shoulders to calm her down, but she pushed me away.calm down somebody: · The coach called a time-out to calm down the players.
to make someone calm when they are worried and upset: · We were all very concerned and did our best to calm her.· His lawyer's assurances that he would be found not guilty did little to calm him.
what you say to someone when you want them to be calm spoken say this when someone is angry, upset, or excited and you want them to think calmly or speak calmly again: · Calm down! Everything's going to be OK.· If you don't calm down, Mom's going to know something's wrong.
spoken say this to someone who is worried or frightened about something, in order to stop them worrying: · Relax! This won't hurt at all.· You can relax now - it's all over.
spoken informal say this when someone is angry or upset, and you want to stop them saying or doing anything stupid: · Hey, take it easy! Nobody's saying you're not good at your job.
spoken say this to someone to make them stop being worried: · It's okay, Chris, he's gone now.· It's all right, don't cry, Mummy's here.
spoken informal say this when someone is getting very nervous or worried, especially in a way that is annoying or unreasonable, and you want them to be calm - used especially by young people: · OK, it's all right - just chill out!· Just chill for a second - I'll figure something out.
not moving not moving - use this especially about people who are not moving, or about places where there is no wind: · There was no wind and the trees were completely still.still water: · Anna looked out across the still waters of the lake.keep/stand/sit still: · Keep still while I tie your shoes.· Percy was so thrilled he could hardly sit still.
: stationary car/vehicle/truck/traffic a car, vehicle etc that is not moving: · The truck swerved and hit a stationary vehicle.· a four-mile queue of stationary traffic
if traffic is at a standstill it is not moving. If rail or bus services are at a standstill they have stopped operating: · Traffic was at a standstill on the motorway.bring something to a standstill (=make it stop moving or operating): · A severe storm brought rail services to a standstill yesterday.
not moving because there is no wind: dead calm (=completely calm): · The sea was dead calm.calm night/evening etc: · The night was calm and warm.· It was a calm, clear, beautiful day.
completely still - used especially in literature: · Four motionless figures stood on the pier.stand/sit/remain motionless: · I could see my father standing motionless in the doorway.· Kemp sat motionless as the verdict was read.
not moving or not able to move, especially because of fear or tiredness: · Brigg was immobile, his eyes fixed on the horizon.immobile with: · I stood there, immobile with terror.
to be unable to move from the place where you are standing or sitting because you are very frightened, surprised, or interested by something that is happening: be glued to the TV/your chair etc: · Dad was glued to the TV all day long.· We were glued to our chairs and listening intently to every word.be glued/rooted to the spot: · I was rooted to the spot, unable to take my eyes off the strange creature.
to be completely still, especially because you are frightened or because you do not want someone to see you: · She hid behind the door, not moving a muscle.· I didn't dare move a muscle. He would have shot me.
peaceful if a place or situation is peaceful, it makes you feel calm and relaxed because there is no unpleasant noise or activity: · Langcliffe is a peaceful little village.· It's so nice and peaceful here.· After a career as a journalist, she was looking forward to a happy and peaceful retirement.
if a place is calm, there is no violence or excited activity there, especially after a period when there has been violence or excitement: · After yesterday's fighting, the region is now calm again.· Once on board, you can relax in calm, comfortable surroundings.
a quiet place or time is one without much activity, noise, or excitement, or without many people: · Since the last big outbreak of fighting six days ago, the city has been strangely quiet.· The roads are usually pretty quiet at this time of day.a quiet night/evening in (=an evening at home, rather than going out): · Let's have a nice quiet evening in, for a change.a quiet life: · While he liked to go out partying, she wanted a quiet life.
a sleepy town or village is a quiet, peaceful one, where there is very little to do and exciting things do not usually happen: · Ten years ago, this was a sleepy fishing village.· She headed for the High Street, the only lively spot in the sleepy little town.
a place that is tranquil is pleasantly quiet and makes you feel relaxed: · In summer, the normally calm, tranquil streets fill with crowds of tourists.· Efforts are being made to make life more tranquil in Japan's noisy and overcrowded cities.
a restful time or place is a quiet and relaxing one: · I'm looking forward to a quiet, restful summer vacation.· Her suite of rooms was cool and restful.· He woke after a long, restful sleep, feeling refreshed.
without wind, movement, or noise: · It was a long, hot, still September afternoon.· Everything was very still inside the little chapel. Nothing broke the silence.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY I tried to stay calm and just ignore him. The seas were dead calm.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES She wanted to arrive feeling cool, calm, and collected. Outwardly she is cool, calm, and collected. In the middle of the city, this garden is a haven of tranquillity. I was struggling to keep awake. The park was an oasis of peace. Traffic calming measures have been introduced.
I tried to stay calm and just ignore him. The seas were dead calm. She wanted to arrive feeling cool, calm, and collected. Outwardly she is cool, calm, and collected.· The room was dead quiet while we waited for Ted to reply.
(=one that makes you feel less angry, excited, or nervous)· His words seemed to have a calming effect on the crowd.
In the middle of the city, this garden is a haven of tranquillity.· The music seemed to have a calming influence.
I was struggling to keep awake. (=make someone feel less worried or nervous)· She took a few deep breaths, trying to calm her nerves.
The park was an oasis of peace.· The sea was perfectly calm.
Traffic calming measures have been introduced.· Things seemed quiet enough, but it was an uneasy calm.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Baldwin's main role was to keep his colleagues and the country as calm as possible.· Jody is as calm as anyone has ever seen her at halftime.· The city spread out below her looked so calm, almost as calm as she had felt such a little time before.· Keep as calm as possible, and follow the suggestions in this chapter.· Noah Plunkett was as calm as though they were discussing the state of the weather.· Eisenhower, appearing as calm as ever, shrugged off what had not long before loomed as a crisis.· Just the same, off he went, as calm as could be, and so the theft remained undetected.· He was as calm and collected as any veteran on the ground.
· But once she'd explained I felt much calmer.· He was suddenly much calmer, coldly aware of his true position.· Every day ... I will become emotionally much calmer ... much more settled ... much less easily disturbed.· Though evidently representing the same individual, the head was much calmer than that of the agitated portrait of the previous decade.· The Prime Minister greeted the day in a much calmer mood than he had forty-eight hours before.
· She'd even felt quite calm, only thinking that in the oven his dinner would be in cinders now.· Previously no wave would have reached that high except in a gale, and that night the sea had been quite calm.· She was quite calm and told me to get a watch and try and time how far apart the pains were.· Until opposition forces started fighting again, the situation was quite calm.· I felt quite calm, though I could neither eat nor drink.· Kelly felt quite calm as she entered the large committee room.· She was quite calm and serious and, for reasons of her own, she intended to bury the jewel box.
· The city spread out below her looked so calm, almost as calm as she had felt such a little time before.· In some one so calm, the effect was eerie.· How could Ace stay so calm?· Michael stared up, wondering how Peter could be so calm.· His manner: so calm, so kind, so on top of things.· It was so calm, so secure.· No wonder he is so calm.· No wonder I had felt so calm.
· It looked very calm and peaceful.· He is a Sikh, a religious man, very calm, kind.· I became very calm and immediately went into a deep sleep.· He felt aged and weary but very calm.· She became very calm and serene.
NOUN· At least, I thought grimly, it was a calm day.· It was a calm day, Mr Dove.· On a calm day there will be no waves breaking over Bogha nan Ramfhear to indicate its presence.· Try to sober down and forget your fears as there are calmer days ahead.· It was a cold calm day with no wind.· On calm days people dived to inspect the bottom contours.· On a calm day, it can register a pressure difference across the thickness of the Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.
· So you see, beneath that calm exterior lies a highly unstable child.· With her soft voice and her calm exterior, she absolutely would not let creditors off the hook.
· Neil Croll, Allestree, Derby I saw an upside-down rainbow caused by the reflection of the sun on a calm sea.· De Macon's ship went to Brittany and back, the voyage helped by fair winds and calm seas.· I was deeply thankful that the accident had occurred on a sunny day and with a calm sea.· He wrote of the calm sea at St Malo, the pink sky, the sweet air.· Large swell waves may be present with an absolutely calm sea or even with light offshore winds in the opposite direction.· Gently rocked by the smooth, rhythmic action of the calm sea, she gazed up at the sky above.· Only the murmur of ships' engines and swish of bows cutting the tide could be heard across the calm sea.
· He heard the calm voice, but could feel the trembling body which gave it the lie.· The calm voice waited on the tapes, and my grief was ambiguous.· When they tapped at Dora's bedroom door, a calm voice invited them to enter.· Myles began to talk in a slow calm voice.· Wilko then replies in a calm voice with what hes said.
· The overall effect is that the main swell of the ocean is broken, leaving calmer water inside.· She drifted helplessly along in calm water at just over three knots, making it virtually impossible to assess her sailing characteristics.· But the ship stood almost stationary, in calm water just inside the mouth of a fiord.· For instance, blue conveys a sense of calm and tranquility because we associate the colour with blue skies, calm water.· It's always the same - each time you dive, you find clear, calm water.· There will be calmer water at intervals along the way.· Slowly they began to feel the protection of Grumbla Head and within half-an-hour they had entered relatively calm water.
· The last time I visited Strathbeg, I counted eighty elegant swans, floating galleon-like on calm waters.· Inside the reef, on calmer waters, the boy gratefully nodded off to sleep, exhausted by his ordeal.· Here seals may be seen bobbing in the calm waters.· She sat quietly, however, until the music found its way into calmer waters and then came to an end.· He also taught girls to swim in the calm waters of the Swider River.· The forecast is good, light winds and calm waters.· Two of us have chosen to sail in the calmer waters of librarianship.
· All he needs is 13 hours of calm weather.· Wildlife experts fear the calm weather may return too late to save them.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► bold/calm/cool etc as you please
- Beneath his highly cool exterior he was anguished and distraught.
- It all added up to the fact that below Silas's cool exterior there was warmth and compassion for others.
- So you see, beneath that calm exterior lies a highly unstable child.
- There is little or no hint of the compassion and humanity which lay beneath the cool exterior.
- With her soft voice and her calm exterior, she absolutely would not let creditors off the hook.
WORD FAMILYnouncalmcalmnessadjectivecalmverbcalmadverbcalmly
1relaxed and quiet, not angry, nervous, or upset: Glen was calm and composed at the funeral.remain/stay/keep calm I tried to stay calm and just ignore him.2if a place, period of time, or situation is calm, there is less activity, trouble etc than there sometimes is, or than there has been recently: The financial markets are calm at the moment. The streets are calm again after last night’s disturbances.3a sea, lake etc that is calm is smooth or has only gentle waves: The seas were dead calm.—calmly adverb—calmness noun [uncountable]THESAURUScalm not getting angry, nervous, or upset, even in a difficult situation: · We’ll talk about this later when you’re feeling calmer.· Everyone praised Douglas for the calm way in which he handled the situation.relaxed not worried about anything, especially so that people feel comfortable: · Looking relaxed and confident, the president answered questions from the press.· There was a relaxed atmosphere.chilled-out (also chilled) informal very relaxed and not worried – used especially by young people: · I’m much more chilled-out about the whole thing this year.laid-back informal someone who is laid-back is always relaxed and never seems to get worried or annoyed about anything: · I like his laid-back attitude to life.· My parents are pretty laid-back and don’t mind me staying out late.mellow informal relaxed, friendly, and happy, especially after drinking alcohol: · After a few drinks, everyone was pretty mellow.cool informal staying calm and not showing your emotions, especially when other people are getting excited or angry: · He is the kind of player who always manages to stay cool, even under pressure.· She was as cool as a cucumber (=very cool).keep your head to manage to stay calm and behave in a sensible way in a difficult or frightening situation: · In this job you need to be good at keeping your head in a crisis.