Word of the day · 4 August 2026
serene
/səˈriːn/
adjective
Calm, peaceful and untroubled; clear and tranquil.
In a sentence
- The lake looked serene at sunrise after the wind died.
- Her serene reply cooled the angry thread online.
- They chose a serene palette of soft greys for the clinic.
In an image
Origin
From Latin serenus (clear, fair, calm), especially of weather.
History
Roman serenus described bright, calm skies before it described calm people. English kept both weather and temper. Royal styles once used Serene Highness for certain ranks. Today the word often signals composure that holds under pressure, not blank emptiness.
Nearby words
tranquil · placid · unruffled
Still water in weather, rooms and temperament.