calmness
a relaxed, peaceful feeling
a feeling of being relaxed and not worried
the calmness of [someone/something]
- After a few deep breaths, she felt a wave of calmness.
- The guided meditation helped him return to a steady calmness.
- His calmness made everyone else feel safer.
- I like the calmness of the evening.
- Her calmness helps me relax.
control in stressful situations
staying calm when something is difficult
calmness under pressure; calmness in the face of [something]
- She answered the tough questions with calmness and clarity.
- His calmness under pressure impressed the entire team.
- Even during the emergency, the pilot’s calmness reassured the passengers.
- Try to keep calmness in an interview.
- He showed calmness during the test.
quiet, peaceful atmosphere
a place or time that feels quiet and peaceful
the calmness of [a place/time]; calmness in [a place]
- There was a calmness in the library that helped her concentrate.
- He missed the calmness of his small hometown.
- The calmness of the early morning made the long walk enjoyable.
- I love the calmness in this park.
- The calmness of the night is nice.
still sea or weather
weather or sea that is not rough
the calmness of the sea/air; a period of calmness
- The calmness of the sea didn’t last long; clouds rolled in by noon.
- They waited for a patch of calmness before taking the boat out.
- After days of wind, the calmness felt almost unreal.
- The calmness of the sea was beautiful.
a naturally calm personality
when someone is usually calm
[someone]'s calmness
- Her calmness is one of the reasons people trust her leadership.
- He’s famous for his calmness, even when plans change at the last minute.
- Their child’s calmness surprised everyone in the family.
- My teacher’s calmness helps the class.
a quiet break in trouble
a short time when things become quiet again
a calmness after [something]; a calmness in [a situation]
- A tense calmness followed the argument, and no one spoke for a while.
- There was a brief calmness in the streets after the curfew began.
- The calmness after the layoffs didn’t last; more bad news arrived a week later.
- After the fight, there was calmness for a short time.
calm down
1become or make less upset
To stop feeling very angry, afraid, or excited, or to help someone else stop feeling this way.
- She took a deep breath to calm down.
- You need to calm down and think about this carefully.
- Please calm down and explain what happened.
- The teacher tried to calm the class down after the loud noise.
- He didn’t calm down until he got an answer from the doctor.
calm down
1become less upset
to stop being angry or worried
- Take a minute to calm down before you reply.
- She calmed him down by speaking quietly.
- He finally calmed down after he realized it was a misunderstanding.
keep calm and carry on
1stay calm and continue
To stay calm and continue what you are doing, even when things are difficult or frightening.
- In difficult times, all we can do is keep calm and carry on.
- The slogan "Keep calm and carry on" is printed on many posters and mugs.
keep calm and carry on
1stay positive and continue
stay calm and continue working
- When the schedule changed again, she just said, 'Keep calm and carry on.'
- The poster in the hallway read 'Keep calm and carry on.'
- He tried to follow a keep-calm-and-carry-on attitude during the crisis.
keep your calm
1stay controlled and unpanicked
to stay calm and not panic
- Try to keep your calm when the customer complains.
- He kept his calm and explained the problem again.
- It’s hard to keep your calm in heavy traffic.
remain calm
1continue in a calm state
To keep feeling and acting calm, especially when something bad or surprising happens.
- Passengers are asked to remain calm and wait for further information.
- He managed to remain calm throughout the interview.
remain calm
1stay calm (formal)
to stay calm (often in announcements)
- Passengers were told to remain calm and stay seated.
- He remained calm throughout the interview.
- Please remain calm while we resolve the issue.
stay calm
1remain not upset or afraid
To not become angry, afraid, or very excited in a situation.
- Please stay calm and follow the instructions.
- It is important to stay calm in an emergency.
stay calm
1remain calm
don’t get nervous or angry
- Stay calm and listen to the instructions.
- She tried to stay calm, but her hands were shaking.
- If you stay calm, it’s easier to think clearly.
the calm before the storm
1quiet time before trouble starts
A quiet, peaceful time just before something busy, difficult, or bad happens.
- The office is very quiet today; it feels like the calm before the storm.
- The small argument at dinner was just the calm before the storm of a bigger fight.
the calm before the storm
1quiet time before trouble
a quiet time just before a difficult time
- The office was quiet at 8 a.m.—the calm before the storm.
- Their friendly meeting turned out to be the calm before the storm.
- The weeks before the election felt like the calm before the storm.