Placid Meaning: Temperament, Examples and Word Forms

Placid (adjective). Placid describes someone or something that is calm and not easily disturbed.

Example: The normally placid dog slept through the noisy rehearsal.

Pronunciation guide: PLASS-id; the first syllable rhymes with mass. Capital letters show the stressed syllable.

Explore the usage · Try the three-question quiz · Keep learning

What is a placid temperament?

A placid temperament is a generally calm disposition. Someone with this temperament tends not to become upset or excited easily. It describes a usual manner, rather than proving what that person feels in every situation.

For example: “Ravi has a placid temperament; he waits patiently when plans change.” Here, the second part shows the behaviour that makes the description useful.

Placid in sentences

• The placid water reflected the bridge without a ripple.
• Even during the delay, Leena kept a placid expression.
• Our placid afternoon ended when the alarm sounded.
• The guide chose a placid pony for the beginner.

These examples describe water, appearance, an experience and an animal. Use a concrete detail to show the calmness: still water, a relaxed face or an unhurried response.

Placid, placidity and placidly

• Placid is an adjective: “His placid manner reassured the visitors.”
• Placidity is a noun for the quality of being placid: “The lake’s placidity surprised us after the storm.”
• Placidly is an adverb: “The cat watched placidly from the windowsill.”

Write “She answered placidly” when describing the action. Write “Her answer was placid” when describing the answer itself. Avoid “She answered placidity”: a noun cannot do the adverb’s job there.

Placid versus serene, calm and complacent

Calm is a broad everyday alternative. Serene suggests peaceful composure, while placid often draws attention to a lack of disturbance. Their meanings overlap; the surrounding sentence matters more than a rigid ranking of calmness.

Placid can sometimes carry a critical suggestion of being too unconcerned. Complacent more directly suggests satisfaction that overlooks a problem. A placid lake is simply still; a placid response to an urgent warning might sound less positive.

Practise placid: three quick questions

Try each question before opening its answer. If a question asks you to write a sentence, your own correct example is welcome.

Question 1

What does “a placid temperament” describe: a calm disposition or a sudden celebration?

Question 2

Complete the sentence: “The horse waited ___ while we opened the gate.” Choose placid, placidity or placidly.

Question 3

Write a sentence about placid water and add a detail that shows its calmness.

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Compare these words next: Serene meaning and practice and Jubilant meaning and practice.

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Dictionary reference: Merriam-Webster: Placid. The examples and practice questions on this page are written for English Skill Studio.