silence
SEYE-luhns
Silence (noun) means Complete absence of sound. Example: “The silence of the library was broken by a ringing phone.”
noun
1
Complete absence of sound.
"The silence of the library was broken by a ringing phone."
"In the silence of the forest, we could hear a single bird singing."
"Night fell and a deep silence settled over the village."
2
The state of not speaking.
"She kept her silence during the argument."
"His silence on the matter made everyone wonder what he really thought."
"I could not bear her silence after I apologised."
verb
1
To make someone or something silent, often by force or suppression.
"The government tried to silence its critics."
"He raised a hand to silence the room."
"She pressed the button on her phone to silence the alarm."
How to use silence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe absence of sound or speech, or the act of stopping someone from making noise or speaking out.
Common pairings
awkward silence
silence critics
moment of silence
break the silence
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Word forms
- Plural
- silences
- Third person singular
- silences
- Past tense
- silenced
Fill the gap
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The _____ of the library was broken by a ringing phone.
Etymology
From Old French silence, from Latin silentium, from silere ("to be silent").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for silence
See all rhymes for silence →Frequently asked questions
What does “silence” mean?
The word “silence” means complete absence of sound. In plain terms, the absence of sound or speech, or the act of stopping someone from making noise or speaking out.
How do you pronounce “silence”?
“Silence” is pronounced SEYE-luhns (/ˈsaɪ̯ləns/ in IPA).
How do you use “silence” in a sentence?
Here is “silence” used in a sentence: “The silence of the library was broken by a ringing phone.”
What is another word for “silence”?
Words with a similar meaning to “silence” include inaudibility, quietness, black noise, crickets, hush and noiselessness.
What is the opposite of “silence”?
The opposite of “silence” — its antonyms — are audibility, loudness, vocality, sound and speech.
What part of speech is “silence”?
Depending on how it is used, “silence” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “silence” come from?
The word “silence” comes from Latin. From Old French silence, from Latin silentium, from silere ("to be silent").
Is “silence” a common word?
“Silence” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between silence and quiet?
Silence is the complete absence of sound, while quiet describes a low, soft level of sound rather than none at all. A library is usually quiet, since there are faint noises, whereas true silence means nothing can be heard. In everyday use, though, people often treat the two as the same.
Is complete silence actually possible?
Almost never in ordinary life. Even in a soundproof anechoic chamber, the quietest place on Earth, people report hearing their own heartbeat, breathing, and blood flow. True, absolute silence, meaning zero sound waves at all, exists mainly in a vacuum such as outer space, where there is no air to carry sound.
What is the opposite of silence?
The direct opposites are sound and noise, since silence is their total absence. Words like din, racket, and clamour work when you mean loud, disruptive noise specifically. Choosing the right opposite depends on whether you simply mean 'any sound at all' or 'a lot of unpleasant sound.'
What can silence mean beyond the absence of sound?
Silence often carries meaning of its own. It can signal peace and calm, tension or awkwardness, respect (as in a minute's silence), or a refusal to speak. The phrase 'silence is consent' suggests that saying nothing can imply agreement. Context turns simple quiet into a powerful form of communication.
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