pacific

[puh-sif-ik]

adjective

1. tending to make or preserve peace; conciliatory.

   pacific overtures.

   Synonyms: dovish

2. not warlike; peaceable; mild.

   a pacific disposition.

   Synonyms: humane, gentle
   Antonyms: antagonistic, quarrelsome, argumentative

3. at peace; peaceful.

   a pacific era in history.

   Synonyms: quiet

4. calm; tranquil.

   The Wabash is a pacific river.

5. Pacific,

   1. of or relating to the Pacific Ocean.

   2. of or relating to the region bordering on the Pacific Ocean.

      the Pacific states.

noun

1. the Pacific. Pacific Ocean.

2. Pacific, a steam locomotive having a four-wheeled front truck, six driving wheels, and a two-wheeled rear truck.

pacific

¹

/ pəˈsɪfɪk /

adjective

1. tending or conducive to peace; conciliatory

2. not aggressive; opposed to the use of force

3. free from conflict; peaceful

Pacific

²

/ pəˈsɪfɪk /

noun

1. short for Pacific Ocean

adjective

1. of or relating to the Pacific Ocean or its islands

Other Word Forms

• pacifically adverb
• nonpacific adjective
• unpacific adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pacific¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French pacifique, from Latin pācificus, literally, “peacemaking,” equivalent to pāci- (combining form of pāx “peace”) + -ficus adjective suffix; peace, -fic

Word History and Origins

Origin of pacific¹

C16: from Old French pacifique, from Latin pācificus, from pāx peace + facere to make

Example Sentences

In the city in Canada's pacific northwest, Ms Yamauchi's story is as common as the rainy weather.

From BBC

Submit your theories by noon pacific on Friday, April 4, and in the meantime, catch up with all of our coverage of “The White Lotus.”

From Los Angeles Times

Records show that medals were distributed to locals in more than 30 locations that Captain Cook and his crews visited across the pacific, including Tahiti, Easter Island and New Zealand.

From BBC

Back in Paris, the reaction from right-wing members of the Paris Assembly has been anything but pacific.

From BBC

The beginning of wisdom is the quest to master one's fear, the urge to turn away from fear-driven hatreds, to find better, more pacific, more loving ways.

From Salon

When To Use

What does pacific mean?

The adjective pacific means peaceful, calm, tranquil, or nonviolent.When capitalized, Pacific is best known as the name of the Pacific Ocean, often simply called the Pacific.The adjective pacific is not used nearly as often as some of its common synonyms, such as peaceful.Example: While their neighbors were known as warriors, the tribe was pacific, specializing in trade.