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0 English - Monolingual Dictionary

Quiet

ˈkwaɪət
Very common
~ 1500
~ 1500, Very common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Free from noise or disturbance; silent or calm., Not talking or making much noise; reserved or introverted., Without activity or excitement; subdued or understated.

Quiet - Meanings

Free from noise or disturbance; silent or calm.

Example: The library was quiet, with only the sound of pages turning.
Usage: formalContext: academic environments, public spaces
Note: Often used to describe a peaceful or tranquil atmosphere.

Not talking or making much noise; reserved or introverted.

Example: She's usually quiet in social gatherings, preferring to listen rather than speak.
Usage: informalContext: social situations, personal interactions
Note: Can imply shyness or a preference for solitude.

Without activity or excitement; subdued or understated.

Example: The party was rather quiet, with guests mostly chatting in small groups.
Usage: informalContext: events, gatherings
Note: Used to indicate a lack of liveliness or energy.

Quiet's synonyms

silent

Silent means completely quiet or without any sound. It is often used to describe places or situations where there is no noise.
Example: The library was silent except for the occasional turning of pages.
Note: Silent implies an absence of noise or sound, while quiet can also suggest a calm or peaceful atmosphere.

peaceful

Peaceful refers to a state of tranquility or calmness, free from disturbance or noise.
Example: The countryside was peaceful, with only the sound of birds chirping in the distance.
Note: Peaceful emphasizes a sense of calm and serenity, while quiet focuses on the absence of noise.

calm

Calm suggests a lack of agitation or excitement, often associated with a quiet and composed demeanor.
Example: She spoke in a calm voice, trying to soothe the agitated crowd.
Note: Calm can imply a sense of inner peace or composure, while quiet relates more to the absence of noise.

hushed

Hushed refers to a state of quietness brought about by a sudden cessation of noise or by a sense of reverence.
Example: The audience fell hushed as the performer took the stage.
Note: Hushed conveys a sense of anticipation or reverence, while quiet is more general in its meaning of lack of noise.

Quiet expressions, common phrases

Silent as a mouse

This phrase means extremely quiet or making no noise at all, like a mouse moving stealthily.
Example: She crept into the room, silent as a mouse, so as not to wake anyone up.
Note: This phrase emphasizes being as quiet as possible, comparing someone's silence to the near-inaudible movements of a mouse.

Keep quiet

To remain silent or not make noise, usually to avoid disturbing others or to maintain a peaceful environment.
Example: Please keep quiet during the exam so that everyone can concentrate.
Note: This phrase is a directive or request for someone to stop talking or making noise in a given situation.

Dead quiet

Completely silent or still, with no sound or movement.
Example: The house was dead quiet after everyone had gone to bed.
Note: This phrase conveys a sense of eerie or oppressive silence, as if the quietness is so profound that it feels almost lifeless.

Quiet as a tomb

Extremely quiet, with no noise or disturbance, similar to the silence of a tomb.
Example: The library was as quiet as a tomb when everyone was studying.
Note: This phrase suggests a deep, solemn silence, often associated with stillness and a lack of activity.

Peace and quiet

Tranquility and freedom from disturbance or noise, providing a calm and restful environment.
Example: I love coming to this park for some peace and quiet away from the city noise.
Note: This phrase indicates not just the absence of noise but also a sense of calm and serenity, typically sought for relaxation or reflection.

Quiet down

To become less noisy or loud, to reduce one's volume or activity.
Example: Could you please quiet down a bit? Your laughter is disrupting the meeting.
Note: This phrase is often used as a request or command for someone to lower their noise level or calm down.

Softly, softly, catchee monkey

This phrase advises a cautious and gentle approach to achieve a goal, emphasizing the need to be patient and subtle.
Example: She approached the wild rabbit with the attitude of 'softly, softly, catchee monkey' so as not to scare it away.
Note: This phrase uses a metaphorical scenario to convey the idea of acting quietly and patiently to achieve success, akin to catching a monkey by being slow and quiet.

Quiet everyday (slang) expressions

Hush-hush

Used to describe something kept secret or confidential, not meant to be discussed openly.
Example: The party's location is hush-hush, so we have to be discreet about telling anyone.
Note: This term implies an added sense of mystery or intrigue compared to simply being quiet.

Mum's the word

Means to keep quiet or keep a secret, not revealing any information.
Example: I won't tell anyone about your surprise party, mum's the word!
Note: This phrase emphasizes the importance of keeping silent, usually in a playful or conspiratorial manner.

Zip it

A direct command to be quiet or stop talking.
Example: Zip it, I'm trying to concentrate here!
Note: This slang term is more forceful and abrupt than just asking someone to be quiet.

Stumm

Derived from German, stumm means to fall silent or stop talking.
Example: He went stumm when the teacher walked into the room.
Note: This term adds an international flair and sophistication to being quiet.

Clam up

To suddenly become silent and refuse to talk about a particular topic or issue.
Example: Whenever the topic of his past comes up, he clams up and refuses to say anything.
Note: Implies shutting down communication or becoming unresponsive, often due to discomfort or secrecy.

Button up

To keep silent or refrain from revealing information.
Example: You need to button up about what happened at the party last night.
Note: Carries connotations of closing off communication or sealing off details, similar to fastening a button.

Zipped lips

A gesture symbolizing keeping one’s mouth closed and not speaking.
Example: She motioned zipped lips to her friend to keep quiet about the surprise gift.
Note: Visualizes the action of being quiet by mimicking zipping one's lips together.

Quiet - Examples

The library was quiet and peaceful.
She spoke in a quiet voice.
The city streets were surprisingly quiet.

Quiet grammar

Quiet - Adjective (Adjective) / Adjective (Adjective)
Lemma: quiet
Conjugations
Adjective, comparative (Adjective, comparative): quieter
Adjective, superlative (Adjective, superlative): quietest
Adjective (Adjective): quiet
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): quiet
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): quiet
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): quieted
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): quieting
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): quiets
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): quiet
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): quiet
Syllabification and Stress
quiet Contains 2 syllables: qui • et
Phonetic transcription: ˈkwī-ət
qui et , ˈkwī ət (The red syllable is stressed)

Quiet - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
quiet: ~ 1500 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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