peacefully
PEES-fuh-lee
Peacefully (adv) means In a calm way, without conflict or disturbance. Example: “The demonstrators marched peacefully through the city center.”
adv
1
In a calm way, without conflict or disturbance.
"The demonstrators marched peacefully through the city center."
"She passed away peacefully in her sleep at ninety-two."
"The children played peacefully by the stream while their parents read in the shade."
How to use peacefully
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing something calmly and without trouble or violence.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more peacefully
- Superlative
- most peacefully
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The demonstrators marched _____ through the city center.
Etymology
Comes from Middle English peesfully, peasfullie, paisfulike, paisfullic, equivalent to peaceful + -ly.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for peacefully
See all rhymes for peacefully →Frequently asked questions
What does “peacefully” mean?
The word “peacefully” means in a calm way, without conflict or disturbance. In plain terms, doing something calmly and without trouble or violence.
How do you pronounce “peacefully”?
“Peacefully” is pronounced PEES-fuh-lee (/ˈpiːsfəli/ in IPA).
How do you use “peacefully” in a sentence?
Here is “peacefully” used in a sentence: “The demonstrators marched peacefully through the city center.”
What part of speech is “peacefully”?
“Peacefully” is an adverb.
Is “peacefully” a common word?
“Peacefully” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between peacefully and quietly?
Peacefully describes an absence of conflict or disturbance, while quietly describes an absence of noise. A crowd can disperse quietly, making little sound, without necessarily doing so peacefully if there is still tension involved.
Is "peacefully" commonly used to describe how someone died?
Yes, "died peacefully" is a very common phrase used to indicate that a person's death was calm and free of struggle or distress. It draws directly on the core meaning of peacefully as being without conflict or disturbance.
What is the difference between peacefully and calmly?
Calmly focuses on an individual's composed emotional state, while peacefully more often describes a situation, place, or interaction that is free from conflict. A person can act calmly during a heated argument, but the argument itself would not be described as peaceful.
