What does pacific mean?
“Pacific” means peaceful, calm, or untroubled, and it can also describe an attitude or policy that seeks to avoid conflict. Its first sense is often literary: a lake may be called pacific when it is exceptionally still, while a person may be described as pacific in temperament. In political and diplomatic contexts, “pacific intentions” or a “pacific settlement” means an intention to resolve a dispute without violence. The word was once also used as a rare noun for a peace treaty or agreement, although this sense is now archaic or historical. Its close association with peaceful or conciliatory conduct can occasionally give it a slightly formal tone. The capitalised “Pacific” most commonly refers to the Pacific Ocean, one of the world’s largest oceans, while the adjective’s continued presence in words such as “pacify,” “pacifist,” and “pacifism” preserves its older emphasis on making and preserving peace.
Peaceful, tranquil, and free from disturbance; conciliatory or nonviolent in intention.
"The negotiations produced a pacific agreement between the two sides."
The sense “peaceful and untroubled” is now especially literary, while the sense “conciliatory or nonviolent” is common in formal and diplomatic language.
A treaty or agreement intended to establish or preserve peace.
"The old peace settlement was known as the Pacific."
This is a rare, archaic, or historical noun. As an adjective, “pacific” should not be confused with the proper noun “Pacific,” as in “Pacific Ocean.”
The plural is rare and belongs to the obsolete or historical noun sense.
"The peacemakers hoped that the pacifics would bring lasting stability."
Pacific literally means “peace-making”: it links the serenity of a calm sea with the modern word pacify.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of pacific
The word comes through French from Latin pacificus, derived from pacificare, “to make peaceful,” with the root pax meaning “peace.” Latin pacificus originally meant “peace-making” or “peaceful” and developed into English by the early 17th century. Its relatives “pacify,” “pacifist,” and “pacifism” all retain the same association with bringing or preserving peace.
Related word forms
How pacific is actually used
In its first sense, “pacific” is formal and literary, especially when describing scenery, atmosphere, or character. Its second sense is common in diplomacy and international relations. The capitalised “Pacific” usually refers to the Pacific Ocean or, historically, to the peace settlement following the First World War.