How is "placid" used on the GRE?

"placid" is a commonly tested GRE vocabulary word. It appears in Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence, and Reading Comprehension sections. Understanding its definition, synonyms, and usage in context is essential for GRE Verbal Reasoning.

What are synonyms for "placid"?

Synonyms for "placid" include: tranquil, pacific, still.

placid

Pronunciation: adjective. Synonyms: tranquil, pacific, still

adjective

Definition of placid

calm; free from activity or irritation

Synonyms for placid

tranquil
pacific
still

placid in a Sentence

Most of us seek placid settings on our vacations.

Why placid Matters for GRE & SAT

"placid" is a adjective that means "calm; free from activity or irritation" closely related to words like "tranquil", "pacific", "still". As a word starting with P, it belongs to a cluster of GRE and SAT vocabulary that test-takers often encounter in Verbal Reasoning, Text Completion, and Reading Comprehension sections.

On the GRE, understanding "placid" helps you distinguish between closely related answer choices in Sentence Equivalence questions. On the SAT, recognizing this word in context strengthens your performance on Craft & Structure and Words in Context questions. Seeing how "placid" is used in sentences — like the examples above — builds the contextual understanding that standardized tests reward.

Study tip: Start with the definition and part of speech (adjective). Then learn its 3 synonyms to build a word network. Finally, practice with spaced repetition to move "placid" into long-term memory.

How to Remember placid

One effective way to remember "placid" (adjective) is to group it with similar words you already know: "tranquil" and "pacific" and "still". When you encounter "placid" on a test, these synonym connections help you quickly recall its meaning — "calm; free from activity or irritation".

Use flashcard apps with spaced repetition to review "placid" at increasing intervals until it becomes automatic.

pacify — bring peace to or calm someone down
painstaking — Done with or employing great care and thoroughness
palpable — tangible, perceptible, or clearly noticeable
paltry — of little monetary worth; trivial

More Vocabulary Words Starting with P

pacify — bring peace to or calm someone down
pacify — bring peace to or calm someone down
painstaking — Done with or employing great care and thoroughness
painstaking — done with careful attention to detail
painstaking — done with careful attention to detail
palpable — tangible, perceptible, or clearly noticeable
palpable — So intense as to seem almost tangible
palpable — tangible, perceptible, or clearly noticeable
paltry — of little monetary worth; trivial
paltry — of little monetary worth; trivial