quietly
KWEYE-iht-lee
Quietly (adv) means In a manner that makes little noise or draws little attention. Example: “The children quietly tiptoed past the sleeping dog.”
adv
1
In a manner that makes little noise or draws little attention.
"The children quietly tiptoed past the sleeping dog."
"She quietly closed the door so as not to wake the baby."
"He quietly disagreed but said nothing in the meeting."
How to use quietly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWithout noise, fuss, or drawing attention — describing how something is done.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more quietly
- Superlative
- most quietly
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The children _____ tiptoed past the sleeping dog.
Etymology
Derived from Middle English quietely or quyetly, equivalent to quiet plus -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for quietly
See all rhymes for quietly →Frequently asked questions
What does “quietly” mean?
The word “quietly” means in a manner that makes little noise or draws little attention. In plain terms, without noise, fuss, or drawing attention — describing how something is done.
How do you pronounce “quietly”?
“Quietly” is pronounced KWEYE-iht-lee (/ˈkwaɪ.ɪt.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “quietly” in a sentence?
Here is “quietly” used in a sentence: “She quietly closed the door so as not to wake the baby.”
What is the opposite of “quietly”?
The opposite of “quietly” — its antonyms — is loudly.
What part of speech is “quietly”?
“Quietly” is an adverb.
Is “quietly” a common word?
“Quietly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between 'quietly' and 'silently'?
'Quietly' means making little noise or drawing little attention, so a small sound may still be present. 'Silently' is stronger and means making no sound at all.
What is the difference between 'quietly' and 'calmly'?
'Quietly' describes low volume or a lack of attention, while 'calmly' describes a lack of agitation or emotion. Someone can speak quietly yet not calmly, or speak calmly at normal volume.
Where does 'quietly' go in a sentence?
'Quietly' usually comes after the verb or its object, as in 'she closed the door quietly'. It can also be placed before the main verb for emphasis, as in 'he quietly left the room'.
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