noun
equanimity
ek-wuh-NIM-i-tee
Equanimity (noun) means a calm, steady state of mind that holds up under strain, so that difficulty or provocation does not throw the person off balance. Example: “She accepted the verdict with remarkable equanimity.”
noun
1
A calm, steady state of mind that holds up under strain, so that difficulty or provocation does not throw the person off balance.
"She accepted the verdict with remarkable equanimity."
"Years of nursing had given him the equanimity to handle bad news without flinching."
How to use equanimity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStaying calm when things go wrong.
When to use it
Formal and literary. Common in journalism, philosophy and writing about meditation; rare in casual speech.
Memory tip
The word almost always appears in the phrase 'with equanimity' after a verb such as accept, face, greet or bear.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
equanimity vs equity
equanimity vs equilibrium
Common pairings
with equanimity
accept with equanimity
restore one's equanimity
face something with equanimity
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She accepted the verdict with remarkable _____.
Etymology
From Latin aequanimitas, from aequus 'even, level' and animus 'mind, spirit' — literally an evenness of mind.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for equanimity
See all rhymes for equanimity →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between equanimity and equilibrium?
Equanimity is a state of mind: calmness that survives stress or bad news. Equilibrium is a balance between forces or elements, and can be physical, chemical, economic or emotional. You can say a person kept their equanimity, but a chemical reaction reaches equilibrium.
Is equanimity the same as indifference?
No. Indifference means you do not care about the outcome; equanimity means you care but remain steady anyway. The word implies emotional strength rather than emotional absence, which is why it is often used approvingly.
How is equanimity used in meditation and Buddhism?
In Buddhist teaching, equanimity translates terms such as upekkha and names an even-minded attitude towards pleasure and pain alike. It is one of the qualities practitioners deliberately cultivate, so the word turns up constantly in mindfulness writing.
What is the meaning of equanimity?
"equanimity" (noun) means a calm, steady state of mind that holds up under strain, so that difficulty or provocation does not throw the person off balance.
