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halcyon

/ˈhælsiːən/

Adjective[C/U] Both
pl: halcyonspast: []pp: []ing: []comp: more halcyonsup: most halcyon

This word carries a heavy weight of longing and retrospective idealization. It is rarely used to describe the present moment; instead, it casts a golden glow over the past, suggesting a purity or simplicity that has since been lost to time. When applied to nature, it evokes a stillness that is almost eerie or supernatural. It differs from "quiet" or "still" by implying a deep, harmonious serenity rather than a mere absence of noise.

Countable when referring to the mythical kingfisher bird. Uncountable when referring to the general quality of tranquility or a specific historical period.

Meanings

Adjective
[a period of time]

Denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful.

"She recalled with nostalgia the halcyon days of her youth spent by the coast."

Adjective
[a place or state]

Calm, peaceful, or tranquil.

"The boat drifted slowly across the halcyon waters of the lagoon."

Noun
[a bird]

A mythical bird said by the ancients to breed in a nest floating at sea during the winter solstice, calming the waves around it.

"In Greek mythology, the halcyon is often associated with the kingfisher."

Related Words

Last Updated: May 31, 2026Report an Error