Calm Meaning
/kɑm/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjPeaceful, quiet, especially free from anger and anxiety.
adjFree of noise and disturbance.
Sentence Examples
My friends always say I'm too calm, but my family always says I'm too annoying.
Try and calm down.
It is important to keep calm in an emergency.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Despite the chaos, the teacher remained ____ and spoke softly to the students.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The sea was very ____ today, with almost no waves on the sandy shore.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English calm, calme, from Middle French calme, probably from Old Italian calma, of uncertain origin. Calma may derive from Late Latin cauma (“heat of the midday sun”), from Ancient Greek καῦμα (kaûma, “heat, especially of the sun”), from καίω (kaíō, “to burn”), or possibly from Latin caleō. Compare also Lombardic *chalm, *chalma (“frozenness”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *kalmaz (“frozenness, cold”). Displaced native Middle English smilte (“quiet, still, gentle”) from Old English smylte (“quiet, tranquil, calm, serene”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Calm is the morn without a sound,
Calm as to suit a calmer grief,
And only thro’ the faded leaf
The chestnut pattering to the ground: […]"
— 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XI”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC:
"Hi, welcome to Puma. If you need any help, my name's Kelly. That's calm, man[…]Thirty pounds is the limit, I think you'll pay no more, I'm sorry. Aight, fuck it! What, can I do chip and pin. Calm, I'ma put my pin in like boom!"
— 2017, “Uber Everywhere Freestyle 2”performed by Cadet (rapper):
"Been living my life as a Kingpin. I'm calm with the heat of the kitchen."
— 2019 May 9, “Bullet from a Gun” (track 1), in Ignorance is Bliss, performed by Skepta:
"Flexed up like they really move pally (Pally). I don't want ish just at me (At me). I just want money, that's calm (Calm). Teenager, never worry 'bout acne (Finch Fetti, Finch Fetti)"
— 2021 January 17, “Own Brand Freestyle” (track 24), in Beijing Winter Games 2022, performed by FelixThe1st, Dreya Mac, Finch Fetti:
"I really hit for the long ting, calm (Ha, ha). Who would've thought you woulda heard Yung Filly on drill (Filly on drill)."
— 2021 October 15, “100 Bags Freestyle”performed by Yung Filly:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Despite the chaos, the teacher remained ____ and spoke softly to the students.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The sea was very ____ today, with almost no waves on the sandy shore.