quiet

[kwahy-it]

adjective

quieter, quietest 

1. making no noise or sound, especially no disturbing sound.

   quiet neighbors.

2. free, or comparatively free, from noise.

   a quiet street.

   Antonyms: noise, noisy

3. silent.

   Be quiet!

4. restrained in speech, manner, etc.; saying little.

   a quiet person.

5. free from disturbance or tumult; tranquil; peaceful.

   a quiet life.

   Synonyms: serene, calm
   Antonyms: disturbance

6. being at rest.

7. refraining or free from activity, especially busy or vigorous activity.

   a quiet Sunday afternoon.

8. making no disturbance or trouble; not turbulent; peaceable.

   The factions remained quiet for twenty years.

9. motionless or moving very gently.

   quiet waters.

   Synonyms: unmoving
   Antonyms: active

10. free from disturbing thoughts, emotions, etc.; mentally peaceful.

    a quiet conscience.

11. said, expressed, done, etc., in a restrained or unobtrusive way.

    a quiet reproach;

    a quiet admonition.

12. not showy or obtrusive; subdued.

    quiet colors.

13. not busy or active.

    The stock market was quiet last week.

verb (used with object)

1. to make quiet.

   Synonyms: silence, hush, still

2. to make tranquil or peaceful; pacify.

   to quiet a crying baby.

   Synonyms: soothe, lull

3. to calm mentally, as a person.

4. to allay (tumult, doubt, fear, etc.).

   Synonyms: soothe, lull

5. to silence.

verb (used without object)

1. to become quiet (often followed bydown ).

noun

1. freedom from noise, unwanted sound, etc..

   At least there's quiet here.

   Synonyms: silence

2. freedom from disturbance or tumult; tranquility; rest; repose.

   This little beach is known for its quiet, but today a rowdy group of tourists is having a clambake.

   Synonyms: stillness, calm

3. peace; peaceful condition of affairs.

quiet

/ ˈkwaɪət /

adjective

1. characterized by an absence or near absence of noise

   a quiet street

2. characterized by an absence of turbulent motion or disturbance; peaceful, calm, or tranquil

   a quiet glade

   the sea is quiet tonight

3. free from activities, distractions, worries, etc; untroubled

   a quiet life

   a quiet day at work

4. marked by an absence of work, orders, etc; not busy

   the factory is very quiet at the moment

5. private; not public; secret

   a quiet word with someone

6. free from anger, impatience, or other extreme emotion

   a quiet disposition

7. free from pretentiousness or vain display; modest or reserved

   quiet humour

8. astronomy (of the sun) exhibiting a very low number of sunspots, solar flares, and other surface phenomena; inactive Compare active

noun

1. the state of being silent, peaceful, or untroubled

2. without other people knowing; secretly

verb

1. a less common word for quieten

Other Word Forms

• quietness noun
• quieter noun
• quietly adverb
• unquieted adjective
• unquieting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quiet¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English adjective quiet(e), quite, from Old French quiet, quiete, and Latin quiētus, past participle of quiescere “to rest, rest in sleep, rest from toil”; Middle English verb quieten, partly derivative of the adjective, partly from Late Latin quiētāre “to calm,” derivative of quiētus; coy, quiescent

Word History and Origins

Origin of quiet¹

C14: from Latin quiētus, past participle of quiēscere to rest, from quiēs repose, rest

Idioms and Phrases

• keep quiet
• peace and quiet

Synonym Study

See still ¹.

Example Sentences

She will be remembered for that hug with Novotná, her dignity and quiet compassion, and as a reluctant royal, who eventually decided that her true path lay in teaching children to love music.

From BBC

It's been very quiet here this morning - not many up and about just yet - and a police cordon and vehicle remain outside the house.

From BBC

“Mare of Easttown” gets under your skin in those quiet interludes.

From Salon

Those who work with Levy have described him as "shy, quiet and hard working", not the cold character of public perception, although limelight and public speaking has never sat easy with him.

From BBC

“There is no peace and quiet since the day of its ignition.”

From Salon

Related Words

• allay 
• appease 
• assuage 
• hush 
• mollify 
• muffle 
• muzzle 
• pacify 
• please 
• relax 
• satisfy 
• soften 
• soothe 
• squelch 
• subdue