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
Example Sentences
AdjectiveBetween the two Azorean blue belfries of Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, a serene statue of the Madonna gazes out at the harbor, cradling a small boat in her arm. Anita Diamant, National Geographic Traveler, September 2005And Breeders' Cup day was anything but serene. The weather was … cold and often gray, with a 20-mile-an-hour headwind scouring the backstretch. Lorna Lentini, New York Times, 14 July 2002For Ben and me, in Omaha in 1961, our lives were untroubled and serene. After six years of marriage, we seemed to have reached the happy ending to the national American Dream. Lois Mark Stalvey, The Education of a WASP, (1989) 1998 a serene woman who was everyone's source of support NounOft of one wide expanse had I been told / That deep-browed Homer ruled as his demesne: /Yet did I never breathe its pure serene / Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold: … John Keats, "On First Looking into Chapman's Homer,"1816
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Through political upheaval and economic crises, family dramas and a revolving door of 15 prime ministers, the queen was serene and enduring. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2022 The rotunda of American Adventure can be simultaneously serene and stirring. Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 21 July 2022 The area is quiet and serene and close to many hiking trails, two tiny marinas , farmer’s markets, and more. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 15 July 2022 Sure, sliding down the sandy dunes in a game like Journey is serene and all. Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 18 June 2022 Biyela is serene and measured, but there's an unmistakable sparkle in her eyes — mischief even — perceptible despite the partial pixelation. Melanie Van Zyl, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2022 In person, Cleopatra is a disarming combination of serene and unpredictable. Evan Allen, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Dec. 2021 Her studio channeled László’s sense of folly into the project—no all-white coastal clichés here—aiming for a spirited balance between serene and sophisticated, reflecting the client’s passion for wellness, travel, art, and antiques. Booth Moore, ELLE Decor, 17 Aug. 2022 Just like the name suggests, the trend is all about mixing shades of white, beige, and tan in a way that creates a serene and inviting feeling. Jessica Leigh Mattern, Peoplemag, 11 Aug. 2022
Noun
Picturesque, quaint and serene, this incredible 3.2-acre property couldn’t be more idyllic. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2022 The Ranch will be open year-round and is in an uber-serene setting on the border of Sloatsburg and Tuxedo Park. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2022 But the hue can denote the serene and the celestial, which are also evoked by the exhibition, first shown at Cross’s home gallery and now on display in condensed form at Waddell Art Gallery at Northern Virginia Community College’s Loudoun Campus.Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2021 Even murder, late in the movie, is committed with a fluid facility that verges on the serene. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 11 June 2021 Depictions of Mary are often joyful, sorrowful or vaguely middle-distance serene.Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2019 In contrast to the whimsical, high-energy living areas, the master suite is a serene, grown-up haven. Jen Renzi, House Beautiful, 15 Jan. 2014 See More
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Latin serenus clear, cloudless, untroubled