calmness

calmness — noun

1. a relaxed state in which you do not feel worried, nervous, or upset, especially

1.nounB2
Definition

a relaxed state in which you do not feel worried, nervous, or upset, especially when things are stressful

Example

The yoga teacher spoke with such calmness that everyone in the room stopped worrying.

with [such] calmness — describes manner of speaking

Ravi took a deep breath to restore his calmness before the job interview.

restore / maintain + calmness — collocation

Common collocations
  • restore calmness
  • maintain calmness
  • with calmness
  • inner calmness
Synonyms
  • composure

    more formal; specifically keeping cool under pressure

  • serenity

    a deeper, more spiritual or lasting peace

  • poise

    emphasises graceful, controlled behaviour in social situations

Antonyms
  • agitation

    the opposite emotional state of being upset or disturbed

  • anxiety

    a state of worry and nervousness

Usage Note

Unlike 'calm' (which can describe a person, place, or weather), 'calmness' is almost always used for a person's emotional state or the atmosphere in a room or group.

Common Mistakes

I need some calmness and quiet to study.
I need some calm and quiet to study.
'calmness' is an abstract quality, not a thing you can 'have some of' like peace. Use 'calm' as an uncountable noun when referring to a state you experience.

2. a state in which a place or situation has no hurried activity, loud noise, or st

2.nounB2
Definition

a state in which a place or situation has no hurried activity, loud noise, or strong movement

Example

The calmness of the lake at sunrise made the hikers stop and stare in silence.

calmness of [place] — describes a location's stillness

After the storm passed, an eerie calmness settled over the village for several hours.

calmness after [event] — temporal pattern

Common collocations
  • the calmness of [place]
  • calmness returned
  • calmness after [event]
  • eerie calmness
Synonyms
  • stillness

    emphasises complete absence of motion, often in nature

  • tranquillity

    a deeper, more poetic peacefulness of a place

  • quietness

    focuses on absence of sound rather than movement

Antonyms

Usage Note

This sense applies to environments, weather, or scenes — not to people's emotions. For weather specifically, 'calmness' refers to an absence of wind or heavy rain.

Common Mistakes

The calmness of the sea worried the sailors.
The calmness of the sea made the sailors feel relaxed.
'calmness' itself is neutral or positive; an 'eerie' or 'strange' calmness may feel unsettling, but the word alone does not imply danger.

Common collocations

Nouns

  • sense of calmness
  • feeling of calmness
  • air of calmness

Adverbs

  • with great calmness
  • with remarkable calmness

Phrases

  • with calmness
  • in calmness