Do you know the definition of serenity? This guide will provide you with all of the info you need on the word serenity, including its definition, etymology, example sentences, and more!
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Kevin
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April 15, 2021
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Common Questions
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What does the word serenity mean?
According to Merriam-Webster Unabridged English Dictionary and Cambridge Dictionary, amongst other dictionary apps, the word serenity is a noun which means the state or quality of being calm or at peace. This word is often used to describe people, but it can also be used to describe spaces or weather. For example, a person can have serenity in the midst of chaos. A nice spring day might bring a state of serenity with its cloudless skies and perfect temperature. A church or temple might be a place of serenity for people, or people might perform a serenity prayer in such a place. The word serenity is a very versatile, useful word that is commonly used in the English language to describe the quality or state or peace and calmness a person, place or thing may have.
The word serenity exists in different languages all around the world. People use many different words to describe this state of calm, peace, and relaxation. This list of translations for the word serenity is provided by Word Sense.
- Maori: mahurutanga
- Portuguese: serenidade (fem.)
- Finnish: tyyneys
- Spanish: sosiego (masc.), tranquilidad (fem.), serenidad
- Polish: spokój (masc.)
- Swedish: lugn (neut.), stillhet (common), ro (common), frid (common), sinnesro (common)
- Romanian: seninătate (fem.), liniște (fem.)
- Hindi: शांति (śānti)
- Hungarian: derű, derültség
- Russian: безмяте́жность (fem.)
- Malayalam: ആനന്ദം (aanandam)
- French: sérénité
- German: Gelassenheit (fem.)
- Chinese – Mandarin: 寧靜, 宁静 (níngjìng)
- Italian: serenità
- Galician: serenidade (fem.)
- Arabic: سَكِينَة اَلرُّوح, صَفَاء (fem.)
- Indonesian: ketenteraman
- Japanese: 平静 (へいせい, heisei), セレニティ (sereniti)
- Navajo: ił hodéezyéél
- Dutch: sereniteit (fem.)
What is the origin of the word serenity?
According to Etymonline, the word serenity has been used since the 1530s to describe weather. 60 years later in the 1590s, it became used to describe people. The word serenity comes from the French sérénité, which comes from the Latin serenitatem, which is the nominative form of the Latin serenitas, which means clearness. This comes from the Latin serenus. This is also where we get the word serene, which according to Etymonline stems from the Proto-Italic sero meaning dry, from the Proto-Indo-European root ksero, meaning dry. This root also stemmes words like the Greek xeros meaning dry or arid. The word serenity was originally used to be a title for kings and was applied to roman emperors, and later, popes.
What are synonyms and antonyms for the word serenity?
There are many different words that can take the place of the word serenity, which are commonly referred to as synonyms. Synonyms are words and phrases that have the same definition or meaning as other words and phrases. Synonyms are useful to know if you want to avoid repeating yourself in a sentence, speech, essay, or written message. They are also useful if you want to grow your vocabulary! The below list of synonyms for the word serenity is from Thesaurus.
- contentment
- repose
- relaxation
- patience
- peacefulness
- congeniality
- rest
- calmness
- placidity
- quiet
- reserve
- hush
- sympathy
- tranquillity
- peace of mind
- stillness
- quietness
- amity
- calm
- sereneness
- lull
- cool
- composure
- quietude
- harmony
- peace
- tranquility
- equanimity
- concord
- silence
There are also many different words that have the opposite meaning of the word serenity. These are known as antonyms. Antonyms are also very useful for growing your vocabulary and expanding your knowledge of the English language. This list of antonyms for the word serenity is also provided by Thesaurus.
- distress
- ennui
- tumult
- bickering
- disturbance
- dissatisfaction
- dissension
- restlessness
- discontent
- debate
- insurrection
- uneasiness
- strife
- bother
- worry
- disquiet
- vexation
- uproar
- sedition
- discord
- anarchy
- annoyance
- confusion
- change
- trouble
- upset
- malaise
- chagrin
- disease
- mortification
- grief
- altercation
- sorrow
- tension
- crisis
- dither
- anxiety
- protest
- perturbation
- perplexity
- controversy
- tizzy
- quarrel
- contention
- unease
- turmoil
- rebellion
- irritation
- moodiness
- unrest
- disaffection
How can the word serenity be used in a sentence?
The word serenity can be used in a wide variety of places to refer to a state of peace or calmness. This word can refer to people, places, or things. In this first example, Jaiden and Nicole are discussing the results of their college acceptances.
Jaiden: How are you so calm right now? I’m practically shaking, I’m so nervous about where I got in, and worse, where I didn’t get in.
Nicole: I just figure, I have done all that I can to prove that I would be a good fit to these colleges. I did the best I could on my SAT, ACT, my AP exams. I did my best on my essays. If they want to accept me and think I’m a good fit, so be it. And if they don’t, it wasn’t the right fit for me anyway
Jaiden: Wow. I really admire your serenity in the midst of all of this chaos. I feel like I’m about to explode.
Here, Jaiden uses the word serenity to refer to Nicole’s state of peace regarding the results of her college acceptances. In this next example, Jaiden and Nicole are in pottery class.
Nicole: How are you doing that? That vase is perfect!
Jaiden: It’s all about serenity, Nicole. I am one with the wheel. Don’t think about it too hard, feel it.
Overall, the word serenity is a noun that means a state of being peaceful or calm. This word can be used to refer to people, places, or things. This word comes from French and Latin roots and is commonly used in the English languages to refer to things, people, and places that bring about a state of peace and relaxation.
Sources:
- https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/serenity
- https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/unrest
- https://www.wordsense.eu/serenity/
- https://www.etymonline.com/word/serenity
- https://www.etymonline.com/word/serene?ref=etymonline_crossreference
- https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serenity
- https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/serenity
