adjective
silent
SEYE-luhnt
adjective
1
Making no sound at all; completely quiet.
"The library fell silent as soon as the exam began."
"After the joke fell flat, the room went silent."
2
Not speaking; saying nothing.
"He stayed silent throughout the interview, refusing to answer any questions."
3
Of a letter, written but not pronounced.
"The "k" in "knee" is silent."
noun
1
A film made without recorded sound or dialogue.
"Charlie Chaplin built his career in silents before talkies took over."
How to Use Silent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMaking no noise, or choosing not to speak.
Common mistake
A "silent film" is a movie without spoken dialogue, not one with no sound at all — silent films often had live music.
Common pairings
silent night
silent treatment
silent letter
fall silent
Word Forms
silenter comparative, more silent comparative, silents plural, Silents plural, silentest superlative, most silent superlative
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Etymology
From Latin silens, "being quiet," the present participle of silere, "to be silent."