Word
placid
US/ˈpɫæsəd/
UK/plˈæsɪd/
Definition
adj. calm and peaceful, without much movement or strong emotion. You use this to describe a person who does not get angry easily or a lake that is very still.
adj. not easily upset or excited; showing a calm and steady temperament. When describing bodies of water or landscapes, it indicates a lack of disturbance or turbulence.
Examples
“The lake was placid and reflected the trees perfectly.”
“Despite the chaos of the busy office, she maintained a placid expression and finished her work on time.”
“The valley was home to a placid community of farmers whose lives remained largely untouched by the political upheavals occurring in the distant capital.”
Examples
simple
“The lake was placid and reflected the trees perfectly.”
contextual
“Despite the chaos of the busy office, she maintained a placid expression and finished her work on time.”
complex
“The valley was home to a placid community of farmers whose lives remained largely untouched by the political upheavals occurring in the distant capital.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'remain' or 'seem'.
Etymology
From French placide, from Latin placidus (“peaceful, calm, placid”), from placeō (“please, satisfy”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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