composed
/kəmˈpəʊzd/ (bre, ipa) · /kəmˈpəʊzd/ (ame, ipa) · /kəm-ˈpōzd/ (ame, mw)
composed — adjective
- composedpositive
- more composedcomparative
- most composedsuperlative
1. showing no nervousness, anger, or excitement, even in a difficult or stressful m
showing no nervousness, anger, or excitement, even in a difficult or stressful moment — for example, a speaker keeping a steady voice while being heckled, or a parent staying patient when a child screams.
Joshua stayed composed during the job interview, even when the manager asked him a difficult question.
stay + composed for keeping calm under pressure
Adina looked surprisingly composed when the judges announced she had not won the prize.
look + composed for outward appearance of calm
Even with three young children running around the kitchen, the mother remained composed and smiling.
Tendai sounded composed on the phone, although his hands were shaking the whole time.
Try to stay composed when the customer starts shouting — answering loudly will only make things worse.
- calm
more general; can describe people, places, or situations
- collected
very close in meaning; often paired as 'cool, calm, and collected'
- self-possessed
more formal; suggests long-term control of feelings, not just one moment
- unflappable
informal; describes someone who is never disturbed, as a personality trait
文法句型
be/seem/look/remain + composed
composed + about/under [situation]
用法筆記
Almost always used after a linking verb (be, seem, look, remain, stay), not before a noun — we say 'she looked composed', not 'a composed woman'. Often paired with a contrast clause showing the situation that should have caused the person to lose control.