adverb
low-key
loh-KEE
Low-key (adverb) means Slightly, quietly or secretly; used before an admission the speaker is only half owning up to. Example: “I'm low-key obsessed with this album.”
adverb
1
slang Slightly, quietly or secretly; used before an admission the speaker is only half owning up to.
"I'm low-key obsessed with this album."
"She was low-key relieved when the trip got cancelled."
adjective
1
Deliberately quiet, restrained and not showy.
"They wanted a low-key wedding with about twenty guests."
"The security presence was low-key but effective."
2
In photography and film, describing an image dominated by dark tones and strong shadows.
"The portrait uses low-key lighting to hide half the face."
How to use low-key
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishQuiet and not making a fuss — or, in slang, "a little bit".
When to use it
The adjective is neutral and fine in any writing; the adverb is informal slang.
Memory tip
As slang it goes directly before the verb or adjective it softens: "I low-key love it."
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
lowkey
high-key
laid-back
Common pairings
low-key event
keep it low-key
low-key lighting
low-key obsessed
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Fill the gap
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I'm _____ obsessed with this album.
Etymology
Formed from low and key.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for low-key
See all rhymes for low-key →Frequently asked questions
What does low-key mean in slang?
Used as an adverb, it softens whatever comes next: it means "a bit", "secretly" or "I'm slightly embarrassed to admit this". "I low-key want to leave early" means you do want to leave early, but you are downplaying it.
What is the difference between low-key and high-key?
As slang adverbs they are opposites of intensity: low-key downplays an admission, while high-key makes it emphatic and open. In photography the pair refers to lighting instead — low-key images are dark and shadowy, high-key images are bright and shadow-free.
Is low-key hyphenated?
The adjective is usually hyphenated before a noun ("a low-key event"). The slang adverb is written both as "low-key" and as one word, "lowkey", with the one-word form common online.
What is the meaning of low-key?
"low-key" (adverb) means slightly, quietly or secretly; used before an admission the speaker is only half owning up to.
