mid-15c., "clear, calm," from Latin serenus "peaceful, calm, clear, unclouded" (of weather), figuratively "cheerful, glad, tranquil," from Proto-Italic *(k)sero- "dry," from PIE root *ksero- "dry," source also of Greek xeros "dry, arid" (see xerasia). In English, applied to persons since 1630s. Related: Serenely.
he remained serene in the midst of turbulence
a serene expression on her face
serene skies and a bright blue sea
sere
Serena
serenade
serendipitous
serendipity
serene
serenity
serf
serfdom
serge
sergeant
