- (of people) calm; tranquil; serene
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
com•posed /kəmˈpoʊzd/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- calm;
tranquil;
serene;
self-controlled:The defendant remained composed during the trial.
- See calm.
com•posed
(kəm pōzd′),USA pronunciation adj.
com•pos•ed•ly
(kəm pō′zid lē),USA pronunciation adv.
com•pos′ed•ness, n.
- calm; tranquil;
serene:His composed face reassured the nervous passengers.
- compose + -ed2 1475–85
- See calm.
- agitated, perturbed.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
composed /kəmˈpəʊzd/ adj
com•pose /kəmˈpoʊz/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -posed, -pos•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to be or make up the parts of;
form the basis of: [be + ~-ed + of + object]His spaghetti sauce was composed of many ingredients. - Literature, Music and Danceto create (a musical, literary, or dance work):He composed symphonies. Compose an essay of 500 words.
- to arrange the elements of:The sculptor composed his pieces with precision and beauty.
- to bring to a condition of calmness;
settle down:He took a moment to compose himself, then walked out of the courtroom.
com•pose
(kəm pōz′),USA pronunciation v., -posed, -pos•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
com•pos′a•ble, adj.
v.t.
- to make or form by combining things, parts, or elements:He composed his speech from many research notes.
- to be or constitute a part or element of:a rich sauce composed of many ingredients.
- to make up or form the basis of:Style composes the essence of good writing.
- to put or dispose in proper form or order:to compose laws into a coherent system.
- Fine Art[Art.]to organize the parts or elements of (a picture or the like).
- Literature, Music and Danceto create (a musical, literary, or choreographic work).
- to end or settle (a quarrel, dispute, etc.):The union and management composed their differences.
- to bring (oneself, one's mind, etc.) to a condition of calmness, repose, etc.;
calm;
quiet. - [Print.]
- to set (type).
- to set type for (an article, book, etc.).
v.i.
- to engage in composition, esp. musical composition.
- to enter into composition;
fall into an arrangement:a scene that composes well.
- Middle French composer. See com-, pose1
- late Middle English 1375–1425
- 8. settle, collect.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
compose /kəmˈpəʊz/ vb (mainly tr)
- to put together or make up by combining; put in proper order
- to be the component elements of
- to produce or create (a musical or literary work)
- (intransitive) to write music
- to calm (someone, esp oneself); make quiet
- to adjust or settle (a quarrel, etc)
- to order the elements of (a painting, sculpture, etc); design
- to set up (type)
'composed' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
abraxas
- acetate
- aggregate
- all-American
- allemande
- Anaxagoras
- annulate
- anti-atom
- antimatter
- apron
- Arcimboldo
- arenaceous
- argillaceous
- arrangement
- asphalt
- atomic theory
- binary
- bloody
- bolero
- bossa nova
- bourrée
- brown fat
- bunchy
- cadenza
- cakewalk
- capital account
- capriccio
- carioca
- cartilaginous fish
- cavalry
- cay
- cellular
- cento
- cha-cha-cha
- chamber of commerce
- chief justice
- chorus
- chyle
- cirrus
- collected
- collegiate
- compact
- composite
- composition
- compound
- conglomerate
- consist
- continent
- convocation
- abducens nerve