peace

peace — noun

1. a situation where countries, groups, or people are not fighting and can deal wit

1.nounB2
Definition

a situation where countries, groups, or people are not fighting and can deal with each other in a friendly way.

Example

After thirty years of war, the border villages finally knew peace.

know peace after a war ends

The mayor asked both gangs to keep the peace during the festival.

fixed phrase: keep the peace

Common collocations
  • lasting peace
  • keep the peace
  • live in peace
  • peace between nations
Synonyms
  • harmony

    more often used for people or groups getting along smoothly

  • order

    stresses the absence of trouble, often in public life

  • stability

    focuses on steady conditions, not always on friendly relations

Antonyms
  • war

    organized fighting between countries or groups

  • conflict

    broader word for serious disagreement or fighting

  • violence

    focuses on physical harm rather than peaceful relations

Grammar Patterns

peace between + countries/groups

live in peace

keep the peace

Usage Note

Can describe relations between countries, groups, or people. Distinguish from sense 3, which names the agreement that brings the fighting to an end.

Common Mistakes

The two countries enjoyed quiet for many years.
The two countries enjoyed peace for many years.
quiet is about little noise, not the end of war or conflict.

2. a feeling or situation of quiet ease, with no one bothering you and nothing maki

2.nounB1
Definition

a feeling or situation of quiet ease, with no one bothering you and nothing making you anxious.

Example

Please let Grandpa eat in peace after his long hospital visit.

fixed phrase: in peace

Mia turns off her phone when she wants a little peace.

Common collocations
  • peace and quiet
  • peace of mind
  • a sense of peace
  • at peace
Synonyms
  • calm

    a broad everyday word for a quiet feeling or state

  • quiet

    focuses more directly on little sound

  • tranquility

    more formal and often used for deep calm

Antonyms
  • stress

    mental pressure that takes away calm

  • noise

    sound that disturbs your rest

  • worry

    anxious thoughts that stop you feeling settled

Grammar Patterns

in peace

peace and quiet

peace of mind

at peace

Usage Note

Often used in fixed phrases such as 'in peace', 'peace and quiet', 'peace of mind', and 'at peace'. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about conflict between people or groups rather than personal calm.

Common Mistakes

I need silence of mind before the exam.
I need peace of mind before the exam.
English uses the fixed phrase 'peace of mind' for freedom from worry.

3. an official deal between enemies that stops the fighting.

3.noun
Definition

an official deal between enemies that stops the fighting.

Example

The queen offered peace after the rebel army lost its ships.

offer peace

Both sides sent envoys to discuss peace before winter arrived.

discuss peace before a settlement

Common collocations
  • offer peace
  • accept peace
  • declare peace
  • peace with an enemy
Synonyms
  • treaty

    a formal written agreement, often between states

  • ceasefire

    a narrower agreement to stop shooting, sometimes only temporarily

  • settlement

    a broader word for an agreed solution to a dispute

Antonyms
  • war

    continued fighting instead of an agreed end

  • hostility

    active opposition or enmity between sides

Grammar Patterns

offer peace

accept peace

peace with + enemy

declare peace

Usage Note

Usually appears with verbs such as offer, seek, accept, negotiate, or declare. Distinguish from sense 1, which describes the condition after conflict, not the agreement that creates it.

Common Mistakes

The rebels agreed the peace yesterday.
The rebels agreed to peace yesterday.
with 'agree', English normally uses 'agree to peace', not 'agree the peace'.
Idioms

hold your peace/tongue

idiom

to stay silent instead of saying what you think

During the meeting, Hana held her tongue while the director blamed her team.

Owen wanted to complain, but he held his peace until the guests left.

make (your) peace with somebody

idiom

to end bad feelings with someone, often by apologizing or forgiving them

Before the wedding, Carla made peace with her sister over the old loan.

Marcus called his coach to make peace after the angry text.

(there's) no peace/rest for the wicked

idiom

said when you are tired because more work keeps arriving

Nina laughed, 'No rest for the wicked,' and opened another email.

Dad sighed, 'No peace for the wicked,' when the phone rang again.

(there’s) no peace/rest for the wicked

idiom

Used humorously to say that someone always has a lot of work to do.

Mia sighed, "No rest for the wicked," as she started grading papers.

Brian joked, "No peace for the wicked," when his boss gave him another project.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For noun/1, peace is the broad word for a condition with no war or serious conflict between countries, groups, or people. Harmony is more often used for families, teams, or friendships getting along smoothly, so it sounds less political. Calm usually describes a quiet feeling or atmosphere, which makes it closer to noun/2 than noun/1. Ceasefire is narrower: it means an agreement to stop shooting, often for a limited time, and the wider conflict may still continue. Use peace when you mean the larger stable condition after fighting ends. You can say The village finally had peace after the troops left, but A ceasefire was signed at noon.

peace ↗harmony ↗calm ↗ceasefire

Etymology

LatinAnglo-FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Peace came into English through Anglo-French from Latin pax. The same Latin family is linked to pacisci, meaning to agree, which also gave English pact. That history helps explain why peace can mean both calm relations and a formal end to fighting.