Meaning & use
serene
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Calm, peaceful and free from worry or disturbance.
Grammar: Describes people, places or moods: a serene smile, serene waters.
Patterns
- look serene
- remain serene
The lake was serene in the early morning.
She stayed serene even when the plans changed.
He had a serene look on his face.
adjectivecomparableliterary
Clear and bright in the sky or weather, without clouds or storms.
Grammar: A literary use for weather: a serene sky.
Patterns
- a serene sky
A serene blue sky stretched above the hills.
The evening was serene, with no wind at all.
We sailed under a serene summer sky.
Word forms
| comparative | serener |
|---|---|
| superlative | serenest |
Common combinations
- serene smile
- She gave a serene smile and said nothing.
- serene landscape
- We admired the serene landscape of the valley.
- serene atmosphere
- The garden has a serene atmosphere.
- remain serene
- He tried to remain serene during the storm.
- serene calm
- A serene calm settled over the town.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tranquil
- Tranquil often describes places, while serene can describe a person's calm too.
- placid
- Placid can suggest an unexcitable nature, sometimes dull, while serene is more positive.
- peaceful
- Peaceful is the everyday word and is less elevated than serene.
- composed
- Composed stresses self-control in a stressful moment, while serene suggests deep calm.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: serene or serenade?
serene vs serenade
A serenade is music played for someone, while serene means calm.
Practice
The pond looked ___ in the stillness of dawn.
Choose one answer.
Serene means calm and peaceful. Severe and sincere look similar but have different meanings.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “serene”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.