pacific: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, literary, geographical
Quick answer
What does “pacific” mean?
peaceful, calm, or tranquil.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
peaceful, calm, or tranquil; favouring or promoting peace.
Relating to the Pacific Ocean (capitalized); in names of organizations or movements promoting peace; sometimes used to describe a person's calm temperament or a situation lacking in conflict.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the adjective in formal contexts and the capitalized form for the ocean.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of formal or elevated peacefulness. Can sometimes imply a peace that is enforced or maintained with effort.
Frequency
The adjective is relatively low-frequency in everyday speech in both varieties, being more common in formal writing. The proper noun 'Pacific' is high-frequency in geographical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “pacific” in a Sentence
be + pacifichave a + pacific + natureadopt a + pacific + approachremain + pacificVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pacific” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- His pacific nature made him an excellent mediator in the dispute.
- The government was praised for its pacific foreign policy.
American English
- Her pacific demeanor helped de-escalate the tense meeting.
- The treaty was a testament to their pacific intentions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in corporate communications about conflict resolution: 'The board sought a more pacific approach to the merger negotiations.'
Academic
Used in history, political science, and international relations to describe policies, eras, or dispositions favouring peace.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual speech. Might be used humorously or ironically: 'Try to be a bit more pacific when you discuss politics with your brother.'
Technical
Primarily geographical in 'Pacific Ocean', 'Pacific Plate' (tectonics).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pacific”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “pacific”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pacific”
- Misspelling as 'pacific' (adjective) when meaning 'specific'.
- Forgetting to capitalize when referring to the ocean: 'We sailed across the pacific' is incorrect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the adjective 'pacific' is relatively formal and literary. The capitalized proper noun 'Pacific' (for the ocean) is very common.
'Pacific' is more formal and often implies an active policy or disposition favouring peace, especially in political contexts. 'Peaceful' is a more general, everyday term for the absence of disturbance or conflict.
They are 'false friends' in pronunciation for some learners. Their spelling is different, but in rapid speech, the initial sounds can be perceived similarly, leading to confusion.
Always capitalize 'Pacific' when it forms part of a proper noun, most notably 'Pacific Ocean'. Also capitalize in terms like 'Pacific Rim' or 'Pacific War'. Do not capitalize when using the common adjective meaning 'peaceful'.
peaceful, calm, or tranquil.
Pacific is usually formal, literary, geographical in register.
Pacific: in British English it is pronounced /pəˈsɪf.ɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /pəˈsɪf.ɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Pacific Rim (the countries bordering the Pacific Ocean)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the PACIFIC Ocean as being vast and (stereotypically) calm. The word itself contains 'PAC' which is the root for peace (from Latin 'pax, pacis').
Conceptual Metaphor
PEACE IS CALM WATER. A pacific situation is metaphorically like a calm, undisturbed sea.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'pacific' LEAST likely to be used correctly?