serene
gb/sɚˈin/ us/sɚˈin/
B2
English
~ 5800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
calm, untroubled in mind
Feeling calm and quiet inside, not worried or upset.
Usage pattern:
[someone] feels/looks/remains serene
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "serene" for any kind of happiness or fun. "Serene" means calm and peaceful, not excited. For example, a party is usually "fun" or "lively", not "serene". Learners also sometimes confuse "serene" with "silent"; something can be serene even if there is soft sound, as long as it is peaceful and not stressful.
Synonyms
calm (More common and general; can describe people, situations, or water, and is less literary than "serene".)
|
tranquil (Often suggests deep, gentle calm; slightly more formal and can describe both people and places.)
Antonyms
anxious (Emphasizes worry and nervousness, the opposite of a serene state of mind.)
Collocations
feel serene
|remain serene
|serene state of mind
|serene presence
|serene confidence
|calm and serene
Themes
emotions
|personality
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Despite the chaos around her, she remained utterly serene.
- Meditation helped him feel more serene about the future.
- His serene manner made everyone else relax.
- She answered the difficult questions with a serene confidence.
- After the retreat, he returned to work with a serene state of mind.
Learner examples
- She feels serene after her yoga class.
- He stayed serene during the long delay at the airport.
- The teacher was serene, even when the children were noisy.
- I want to be more serene about my exams.
- Her face looked very serene before the interview.
unknown
B2
property
2
peaceful, still place or weather
Very calm and quiet, especially about a place or the sky or weather.
Usage pattern:
a serene [place/scene/sky]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "serene" for places that are busy but happy, like festivals or markets. These places are not "serene" because they are not quiet or still. Use "serene" only for scenes that are calm, quiet, and not crowded or noisy.
Synonyms
peaceful (Very common and broad; "serene" often suggests a purer, almost perfect kind of peacefulness.)
|
still (Focuses on lack of movement; "serene" includes a sense of beauty and emotional calm as well.)
Antonyms
turbulent (Describes rough, disturbed conditions, especially for water or air, the opposite of serene conditions.)
Collocations
serene landscape
|serene lake
|serene sky
|serene setting
|serene environment
|serene countryside
Themes
nature
|weather
|travel
Examples
- We watched the sunrise over the serene lake.
- The village has a serene atmosphere, far from the noise of the city.
- White clouds floated across a serene blue sky.
- They chose a serene coastal town for their honeymoon.
- The hotel is set in a serene forest landscape.
Learner examples
- We walked by a serene river in the mountains.
- The garden is small but very serene.
- I love the serene sky after the storm.
- They moved to a serene town near the sea.
- The park is a serene place to read a book.
adjective
B2
property
3
calm face, voice, or manner
Calm and quiet in the way someone looks, speaks, or acts.
Usage pattern:
a serene [expression/voice/manner]
Common mistake:
Learners may think "serene" always describes how a person feels inside. In this sense, it describes what we can see or hear on the outside (face, voice, behavior), which may or may not match the person's true feelings.
Synonyms
composed (Stresses self-control; "serene" adds a sense of gentle peace, not just control.)
|
placid (Suggests calm and not easily upset; can sometimes sound slightly dull, while "serene" often sounds positive and graceful.)
Antonyms
agitated (Shows visible nervousness or upset, opposite of a serene expression or manner.)
Collocations
serene smile
|serene expression
|serene gaze
|serene voice
|serene manner
|serene composure
Themes
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She listened with a serene expression, giving nothing away.
- The teacher's serene voice helped calm the frightened children.
- He greeted the reporters with a serene smile.
- Throughout the debate, her manner remained remarkably serene.
- The monk walked past with a serene gaze, not reacting to the noise.
Learner examples
- The nurse spoke in a serene voice.
- He had a serene smile on his face.
- Her eyes were serene, not angry or sad.
- The leader stayed serene when people shouted at him.
- She answered every question with a serene expression.
adjective
formal
C1
relation
4
used in certain royal titles
Used as part of some formal royal titles to show high rank and respect.
Usage pattern:
[title] Serene Highness [name]
Synonyms
royal (General word for things related to a king or queen; "serene" here is a specific traditional word only in some titles.)
Antonyms
common (Refers to ordinary people without noble rank, the opposite social status of people addressed as "Serene Highness".)
Collocations
His Serene Highness
|Her Serene Highness
|Most Serene Republic
Themes
politics
|society
Examples
- The treaty was signed in the presence of His Serene Highness the Prince.
- Her Serene Highness attended the ceremony as guest of honor.
- Historically, Venice was known as the Most Serene Republic.
Learner examples
- They met His Serene Highness at the palace.
- Her Serene Highness gave a short speech.
- The old book used the title "Most Serene Republic".
- People bowed to His Serene Highness.
- The guide explained what "Serene Highness" means.
Grammar
Dictionary form
serene
IPA
GB/sɚˈin/
US/sɚˈin/
Syllables & stress
se - rene (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (se)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: serene
Word family
Core family
serenity
noun B2
serenely
adverb
Advanced or less common
sereneness
noun
Expressions
Her Serene Highness
1/hˈɚ sɚˈin hˈaɪnəs/
fixed phrase
formal
formal title for a female princess
A very formal way to talk to or about a female princess or ruler in some countries.
Examples
- Her Serene Highness will attend the charity concert.
- The ambassador presented his credentials to Her Serene Highness Princess Maria.
His Serene Highness
1/hˈɪz sɚˈin hˈaɪnəs/
fixed phrase
formal
formal title for a male prince
A very formal way to talk to or about a male prince or ruler in some countries.
Examples
- His Serene Highness will open the new hospital tomorrow.
- The letter was addressed to His Serene Highness Prince Alexander.
- They stood when His Serene Highness entered the room.
Most Serene Republic
1/mˈoʊst sɚˈin ɹipˈʌblɪk/
fixed phrase
literary
historical formal title for a republic
An old formal name used for some independent states in history, especially the Republic of Venice.
Examples
- In older documents, Venice is called the Most Serene Republic of Venice.
- The guide explained that "Most Serene Republic" was a proud title for the city-state.