Word forms: comparative quieter, superlative quietest, 3rd person singular presenttense quiets, present participle quieting, past tense, past participle quieted
1. adjective
Someone or something that is quiet makes only a small amount of noise.
Tania kept the children reasonably quiet and contented.
A quiet murmur passed through the classroom.
The airlines have invested enormous sums in new, quieter aircraft.
Synonyms: soft, low, muted, lowered More Synonyms of quiet
quietlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
'This is goodbye, isn't it?' she said quietly.
He closed the door quietly.
Synonyms: noiselessly, silently More Synonyms of quiet
Synonyms: privately, secretly, discreetly, confidentially More Synonyms of quiet
Synonyms: calmly, serenely, placidly, patiently More Synonyms of quiet
Synonyms: softly, in hushed tones, in a low voice or whisper, inaudibly More Synonyms of quiet
quietnessuncountable noun
...the smoothness and quietness of the flight. [+ of]
2. adjective
If a place is quiet, there is very little noise there.
She was received in a small, quiet office.
The street was unnaturally quiet.
Synonyms: peaceful, silent, still, hushed More Synonyms of quiet
quietnessuncountable noun
I miss the quietness of the countryside. [+ of]
Synonyms: peace, still [poetic], silence, calm More Synonyms of quiet
3. adjective
If a place, situation, or time is quiet, there is no excitement, activity, or trouble.
...a quiet rural backwater.
It is very quiet without him.
While he wanted Los Angeles and partying, she wanted a quiet life.
The city is now relatively quiet but there's palpable anger as people cope with shortages.
Synonyms: undisturbed, isolated, secluded, private More Synonyms of quiet
quietlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
His most prized time, though, will be spent quietly on his farm.
Synonyms: noiselessly, silently More Synonyms of quiet
Synonyms: privately, secretly, discreetly, confidentially More Synonyms of quiet
Synonyms: calmly, serenely, placidly, patiently More Synonyms of quiet
quietnessuncountable noun
I do very much appreciate the quietness and privacy here.
4. uncountable noun
Quiet is silence.
He called for quiet and announced that the next song was in our honor.
Jeremy wants some peace and quiet before his big match.
Synonyms: peace, rest, tranquillity, ease More Synonyms of quiet
5. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you are quiet, you are not saying anything.
I told them to be quiet and go to sleep.
I just went quiet, embarrassed, and couldn't answer.
They were both quiet for a while. Then Charlie said: 'I must go.'.
Then a voice called out, 'Quiet, everybody, please!'
Synonyms: silent, still More Synonyms of quiet
quietlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
Amy stood quietly in the doorway watching him.
Synonyms: noiselessly, silently More Synonyms of quiet
Synonyms: privately, secretly, discreetly, confidentially More Synonyms of quiet
Synonyms: calmly, serenely, placidly, patiently More Synonyms of quiet
Synonyms: silently, in silence, mutely, without talking More Synonyms of quiet
6. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
If you refer, for example, to someone's quiet confidence or quiet despair, you mean that they do not say much about the way they are feeling.
He has a quiet confidence in his ability.
All through his life he has shown a quiet determination to get things done.
quietlyadverb [ADVERB adjective]
Nigel Deering, the publisher, is quietly confident about the magazine's chances.
Synonyms: noiselessly, silently More Synonyms of quiet
Synonyms: privately, secretly, discreetly, confidentially More Synonyms of quiet
Synonyms: calmly, serenely, placidly, patiently More Synonyms of quiet
Synonyms: modestly, humbly, unobtrusively, diffidently More Synonyms of quiet
7. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You describe activities as quiet when they happen in secret or in such a way that people do not notice them.
The Swedes had sought his freedom through quiet diplomacy.
Then it was back to the house for a quiet celebration.
Can I have a quiet word with you, son?
Synonyms: discreet, private, confidential, secret More Synonyms of quiet
quietlyadverb [usually ADVERB with verb, oft ADVERB adjective]
I slipped away quietly.
The goal of shifting freight from road to rail has been quietly abandoned.
Lee's body was flown to the U.S., where he was quietly buried in Seattle.
Synonyms: noiselessly, silently More Synonyms of quiet
Synonyms: privately, secretly, discreetly, confidentially More Synonyms of quiet
Synonyms: calmly, serenely, placidly, patiently More Synonyms of quiet
8. adjective
A quiet person behaves in a calm way and is not easily made angry or upset.
He's a nice quiet man.
Synonyms: reserved, retiring, shy, collected More Synonyms of quiet
9. graded adjective
You describe colours or clothes as quiet when they are not bright or not very noticeable.
They dress in quiet colors so as not to call attention to themselves.
10. verb
If someone or something quiets or if you quiet them, they become less noisy, less active, or silent.
[mainly US]
The wind dropped and the sea quieted. [VERB]
He quieted the crowd with a gesture. [VERB noun]
regional note: in BRIT, usually use quieten
11. verb
To quiet fears or complaints means to persuade people that there is no good reason for them.
[mainly US]
Music seemed to quiet her anxiety and loneliness. [VERB noun]
regional note: in BRIT, usually use quieten
12.
See go quietly
13.
See keep quiet about sth/keep sth quiet
14.
See on the quiet
Phrasal verbs:
See quiet down
More Synonyms of quiet
quiet in British English
(ˈkwaɪət)
adjective
1.
characterized by an absence or near absence of noise
a quiet street
2.
characterized by an absence of turbulent motion or disturbance; peaceful, calm, or tranquil
a quiet glade
the sea is quiet tonight
3.
free from activities, distractions, worries, etc; untroubled
a quiet life
a quiet day at work
4.
marked by an absence of work, orders, etc; not busy
the factory is very quiet at the moment
5.
private; not public; secret
a quiet word with someone
6.
free from anger, impatience, or other extreme emotion
a quiet disposition
7.
free from pretentiousness or vain display; modest or reserved
quiet humour
8. astronomy
(of the sun) exhibiting a very low number of sunspots, solar flares, and other surface phenomena; inactive
Compare active (sense 8)
noun
9.
the state of being silent, peaceful, or untroubled
10. on the quiet
verb
11. a less common word for quieten
Derived forms
quietness (ˈquietness)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Latin quiētus, past participle of quiēscere to rest, from quiēs repose, rest
quiet in American English
(ˈkwaɪət)
adjective
1.
still; calm; motionless
2.
a.
not noisy; hushed
a quiet motor
b.
not speaking; silent
3.
not agitated, as in motion; gentle
a quiet sea
4.
not easily excited or disturbed
a quiet disposition
5.
not ostentatious or pretentious
quiet furnishings
6.
not forward; unobtrusive
a quiet manner
7.
secluded
a quiet den
8.
peaceful and relaxing
a quiet evening at home
9. Business
not busy
a quiet day on the stock exchange
noun
10.
a quiet state or condition; calmness, stillness, inactivity, freedom from noise, etc.
11.
a quiet or peaceful quality; freedom from turmoil or agitation
verb transitive
12.
to make quiet; calm or pacify, bring to rest, etc.
13.
to allay (fear, doubt, etc.)
14. Law
to make (a title) unassailable by freeing the fact of ownership from interference, disturbance, or question
verb intransitive
15.
to become quiet
usually with down
adverb
16.
in a quiet manner
Derived forms
quieter (ˈquieter)
noun
quietly (ˈquietly)
adverb
quietness (ˈquietness)
noun
Word origin
ME quiete < OFr < L quietus, pp. of quiescere, to become quiet < quies (gen. quietis), rest < IE base *kweye-, to rest > while
More idioms containing
quiet
quiet as a lamb
quiet as a mouse
Examples of 'quiet' in a sentence
quiet
Looking for peace and quiet in the bedroom?
The Sun (2016)
Was it a coded message to keep quiet?
The Sun (2016)
We go to a quiet place nearby.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Stores should also target special offers at them and offer incentives to visit at quieter times.
The Sun (2016)
In the morning we dock and the ship goes quiet.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This quiet man may well be here to stay.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The chance to live a quieter life in the hopes it might spontaneously remit was the final factor.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was on a very quiet street and we thought there was no chance anyone would see us.
The Sun (2016)
Put it in GT mode and it becomes quiet and smooth and very comfortable.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He is such a calm and quiet person,' he said.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Your quiet confidence impresses bosses and an opportunity you thought you had missed is back.
The Sun (2009)
This little device emits a clicking noise which becomes quieter the more she relaxes.
Hambly, Dr Kenneth Banish Anxiety - how to stop worrying and take charge of your life (1991)
It is anything for a quiet life.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Your mind should begin to feel quieter.
The Sun (2009)
What my grandfather needed more than anything was peace and quiet.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They come to our country to lead a quiet life.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The first thing you notice is how quiet it all is.
The Sun (2013)
We needed to keep him quiet and in general play we did that.
The Sun (2013)
The mockery of wit gives place to quiet trust and tenderness.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
They may be able to find you some quiet study time.
The Sun (2013)
The machine went quiet and soon the smoke had gone.
Claudia Hammond EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings (2005)
Why not go somewhere peaceful and quiet and talk to him?
The Sun (2013)
We found a quiet corner and sat down to catch up.
The Sun (2007)
It was a busy day for a quiet man.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This counted as a relatively quiet night.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You have the quiet confidence that makes a partner keener.
The Sun (2011)
Car engines have become much quieter but the disturbance caused by cars has grown because ofthe increase in traffic.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It was unusually calm and quiet.
Hyland, Paul Indian Balm - Travels in the Southern Subcontinent (1994)
You can leave the crowds behind on the smaller, quieter islands.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
quiet
British English: quiet /ˈkwaɪət/ ADJECTIVE
Something or someone that is quiet makes only a small amount of noise.
She kept the children reasonably quiet.
American English: quiet
Arabic: هَادِئ
Brazilian Portuguese: silencioso
Chinese: 安静的
Croatian: tih
Czech: tichý
Danish: stille
Dutch: stil
European Spanish: silencioso
Finnish: hiljainen
French: silencieux sans bruit
German: ruhig
Greek: ήσυχος
Italian: silenzioso
Japanese: 静かな
Korean: 조용한
Norwegian: stille
Polish: cichy
European Portuguese: calmo
Romanian: tăcut
Russian: тихий
Latin American Spanish: silencioso
Swedish: tyst
Thai: เงียบ
Turkish: sessiz
Ukrainian: тихий
Vietnamese: yên lặng
All related terms of 'quiet'
quiet down
If someone or something quiets down or if you quiet them down , they become less noisy or less active.
quiet night
The night is the period of time between the end of the afternoon and the time that you go to bed , especially the time when you relax before going to bed.
quiet spot
You can refer to a particular place as a spot .
on the quiet
If something is done on the quiet , it is done secretly or in such a way that people do not notice it.
quiet conversation
If you have a conversation with someone, you talk with them, usually in an informal situation.
quiet reflection
Reflection is careful thought about a particular subject. Your reflections are your thoughts about a particular subject.
Quiet Revolution
a period during the 1960s in Quebec , marked by secularization, educational reforms , and rising support for separation from the rest of Canada
quiet as a lamb
very quiet , calm or gentle
quiet as a mouse
very quiet or silent
quiet determination
Determination is the quality that you show when you have decided to do something and you will not let anything stop you.
quiet neighbourhood
A neighbourhood is one of the parts of a town where people live .
keep quiet about sth/keep sth quiet
If you keep quiet about something or keep something quiet , you do not say anything about it.