placid
PLASS-id
/ˈplæs.ɪd/
Not easily upset or excited; calm and peaceful by nature.
Describes a disposition or body of water that is smooth, unruffled, and slow to anger, sometimes bordering on complacency.
The story behind the word. Placid comes from Latin 'placidus', meaning pleasing or gentle, derived from 'placere' (to please). If someone is placid, they are easily pleased and thus rarely stir up trouble or anger.
Word relationships
- unruffled: Unruffled suggests staying smooth despite external provocation; placid describes an inherently calm nature.
- excitable: Excitable means easily stirred into strong emotion or physical reaction.
- fiery: Fiery implies quick-tempered and passionate.
Commonly confused with
- placebo: A placebo is a dummy medical treatment, whereas placid means peaceful.
Word family
- placidity (noun): The state or quality of being placid.
- placidly (adverb): In a calm and gentle manner.
Collocations
- placid lake
- placid temperament
- placid waters
- placid countenance
Idioms & expressions
- placid surface
Example sentences
- "Despite the storm outside, the baby remained placid in her cradle." Character description
- "His placid nature made him an ideal mediator during heated board arguments." Literary text
Memory hook
PL ACID: Think of a lake so Calm it neutralizes ACID reactions. Smooth lake, mild mind.
When not to use
Avoid using if you want to emphasize active joy or vibrant contentment.
Fun facts
- Lake Placid in New York was named for its exceptionally calm, mirror-like waters before becoming famous for the Winter Olympics.
Explore more words
tranquil, placate, imperturbable, amiable, unflappable, pacify
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