placidly
gb/plˈæsɪdli/ us/plˈæsɪdli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
C1
property
1
calmly, without showing worry
in a calm way; not upset or excited
Usage pattern:
[someone] + [verb] placidly
Common mistake:
Don’t use it to mean only “quiet” in sound; it mainly describes a calm mood or manner.
Synonyms
calmly (More general and more common.)
|
peacefully (Emphasizes lack of conflict or disturbance.)
|
serenely (Suggests a composed, almost noble calm.)
Antonyms
anxiously (Shows worry or unease.)
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agitatedly (Shows nervous energy or disturbance.)
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angrily (Shows irritation or anger instead of calm.)
Collocations
smile placidly
|sit placidly
|look placidly at [someone/something]
|watch placidly
|reply placidly
|accept placidly
|stand placidly
|nod placidly
|wait placidly
|gaze placidly
Themes
emotions
|behavior
|communication
Examples
- She listened placidly while the others argued.
- He smiled placidly, as if nothing could bother him.
- The teacher replied placidly and moved on to the next question.
Learner examples
- She sat placidly on the bus.
- He answered placidly.
adverb
C1
property
2
peacefully, with gentle stillness
in a quiet and peaceful way
Usage pattern:
[something] + [verb] placidly
Common mistake:
It can describe water or a scene, but it still implies calmness, not simply “slowly.”
Synonyms
smoothly (Focuses on even movement rather than peaceful atmosphere.)
|
quietly (Emphasizes low noise, not necessarily calm mood.)
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tranquilly (More formal; strongly suggests peaceful stillness.)
Antonyms
turbulently (Describes rough, disturbed movement (especially water/air).)
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violently (Opposite in force and calmness.)
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restlessly (Suggests constant movement or unease.)
Collocations
flow placidly
|drift placidly
|lie placidly
|float placidly
|move placidly
|spread placidly
|run placidly
Themes
nature
|describing_places
Examples
- The river flowed placidly past the village.
- Clouds drifted placidly across the late-afternoon sky.
- The lake lay placidly under a thin layer of mist.
Learner examples
- The boat floated placidly on the water.
Grammar
Dictionary form
placidly
IPA
GB/plˈæsɪdli/
US/plˈæsɪdli/
Syllables & stress
pla - cidly (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pla)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: placidly
- Plural: placidlies
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.