quiet
KWEYE-uht
Quiet (adj) means making little or no sound. Example: “The library was completely quiet except for turning pages.”
adj
1
Making little or no sound.
"The library was completely quiet except for turning pages."
"Please keep quiet during the performance."
"The engine of the new car is surprisingly quiet."
2
Calm and undisturbed; not busy.
"We spent a quiet weekend at the cottage."
"It is a quiet little town where nothing much ever happens."
"Mornings are quiet at the shop, so we can restock the shelves."
3
Not talking much; reserved in manner.
"He's a quiet man who prefers to listen rather than speak."
"My quiet cousin rarely says a word at family parties."
"She was a quiet child who spent hours drawing alone."
verb
1
To make or become calm and silent.
"She quieted the crying baby with a soft lullaby."
"The teacher raised her hand to quiet the noisy class."
"Soft music helped to quiet his nerves before the interview."
noun
1
The state of being free from noise or disturbance.
"He craved a bit of quiet after the noisy office."
"We sat on the beach and enjoyed the quiet of the early morning."
"The library offers peace and quiet for anyone who wants to study."
How to use quiet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFree of noise, or calm and undisturbed — used for sound, places, activity levels, and personalities alike.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "quiet" (calm, silent) with "quite" (meaning "fairly" or "completely") — a very common typo.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
keep quiet
a quiet evening
quiet down
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Word forms
- Plural
- quiets
- Third person singular
- quiets
- Past tense
- quieted
- Comparative
- quieter, more quiet
- Superlative
- quietest, most quiet
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The library was completely _____ except for turning pages.
Etymology
From Latin quiētus, "at rest," the same root that gives us "quit," "quite," and "quietus."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for quiet
See all rhymes for quiet →Frequently asked questions
What does “quiet” mean?
The word “quiet” means making little or no sound. In plain terms, free of noise, or calm and undisturbed — used for sound, places, activity levels, and personalities alike.
How do you pronounce “quiet”?
“Quiet” is pronounced KWEYE-uht (/ˈkwaɪ̯.ət/ in IPA).
How do you use “quiet” in a sentence?
Here is “quiet” used in a sentence: “The library was completely quiet except for turning pages.”
What is another word for “quiet”?
Words with a similar meaning to “quiet” include faint, hushed, low, muffled, quiet as a grave and quiet as a mouse.
What is the opposite of “quiet”?
The opposite of “quiet” — its antonyms — are noisy and silent.
What part of speech is “quiet”?
Depending on how it is used, “quiet” can be an adjective, a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “quiet” come from?
The word “quiet” comes from Latin. From Latin quiētus, "at rest," the same root that gives us "quit," "quite," and "quietus.".
Is “quiet” a common word?
“Quiet” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between quiet and quite?
They are different words often mixed up because of their spelling. Quiet is an adjective meaning little or no sound, as in 'a quiet room.' Quite is an adverb meaning fairly or to a degree, as in 'quite good.' A useful reminder: quiet has an extra 'e' tucked before the 't.'
What is the difference between quiet and silent?
Silent means completely without sound, while quiet means having little sound. A silent room has no noise at all; a quiet room may still have soft or faint sounds. Quiet is therefore a matter of degree, whereas silent describes the total absence of sound.
What is the opposite of quiet?
The clearest opposites are loud and noisy, which describe strong or unpleasant sound. Related opposites include boisterous and rowdy for lively, energetic behaviour. When quiet refers to a calm, still place or a reserved person, opposites such as busy, bustling, or talkative may fit better depending on the context.
Is quiet a positive or negative word?
Quiet is neutral and takes its tone from context. It is positive when it suggests calm, peace, or focus — a quiet evening or a quiet neighbourhood. It can seem negative when it hints at dullness, or when a 'quiet' person is seen as shy or withdrawn. The setting decides the meaning.
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