noun
silencer
Silencer (noun) means a device fitted to a gun barrel to reduce the noise of firing. Example: “The hitman screwed a silencer onto his pistol before entering the room.”
noun
1
A device fitted to a gun barrel to reduce the noise of firing.
"The hitman screwed a silencer onto his pistol before entering the room."
"Silencers are heavily restricted under UK firearms law."
2
A device fitted to an engine to cut down exhaust noise; a muffler.
"A hole in the silencer made the car sound like a lawnmower."
How to use silencer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething attached to a gun or engine that makes it quieter.
UK vs US
British English says "silencer" for a car's exhaust muffler; American English says "muffler."
Common pairings
fit a silencer
car silencer
gun silencer
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Word forms
- Plural
- silencers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The hitman screwed a _____ onto his pistol before entering the room.
Etymology
From silence plus the agent suffix -er, meaning "something that makes quiet."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for silencer
See all rhymes for silencer →Frequently asked questions
What does “silencer” mean?
The word “silencer” means a device fitted to a gun barrel to reduce the noise of firing. In plain terms, something attached to a gun or engine that makes it quieter.
How do you use “silencer” in a sentence?
Here is “silencer” used in a sentence: “The hitman screwed a silencer onto his pistol before entering the room.”
What part of speech is “silencer”?
“Silencer” is a noun.
How many meanings does “silencer” have?
“Silencer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a device fitted to a gun barrel to reduce the noise of firing.
