adj Uncommon

subdued

suhb-DYOOD

Subdued (adj) means Quieter or more restrained than usual, especially in mood. Example: “The mood at the office was subdued after the layoffs were announced.”

adj

Quieter or more restrained than usual, especially in mood.

"The mood at the office was subdued after the layoffs were announced."

Soft and muted rather than bright, describing color or light.

"The restaurant had subdued lighting that made it feel intimate."

How to use subdued

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishToned down — quieter, dimmer, or calmer than the norm.

Common pairings

subdued lighting subdued mood subdued colors

Word forms

more subdued comparative, most subdued superlative

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The mood at the office was _____ after the layoffs were announced.

Rhymes for subdued

valued piqued plagued fatigued intrigued continued barbecued catalogued discontinued misconstrued

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Frequently asked questions

What does “subdued” mean?

The word “subdued” means quieter or more restrained than usual, especially in mood. In plain terms, toned down — quieter, dimmer, or calmer than the norm.

How do you pronounce “subdued”?

“Subdued” is pronounced suhb-DYOOD (/səbˈdud/ in IPA).

How do you use “subdued” in a sentence?

Here is “subdued” used in a sentence: “The mood at the office was subdued after the layoffs were announced.”

What part of speech is “subdued”?

“Subdued” is an adjective.

Is “subdued” a common word?

“Subdued” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “subdued” have?

“Subdued” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: quieter or more restrained than usual, especially in mood.