quiet

[ kwahy-it ]

adjective

, qui·et·er, qui·et·est.

1. making no noise or sound, especially no disturbing sound:

   quiet neighbors.

2. free, or comparatively free, from noise:

   a quiet street.

   Antonyms: noise, noisy

3. silent ( def 1 ):

   Be quiet!

4. restrained in speech, manner, etc.; saying little:

   a quiet person.

5. free from disturbance or tumult; tranquil; peaceful:

   a quiet life.

   Synonyms: serene, calm

   Antonyms: disturbance

6. being at rest.
7. refraining or free from activity, especially busy or vigorous activity:

   a quiet Sunday afternoon.

8. making no disturbance or trouble; not turbulent; peaceable:

   The factions remained quiet for twenty years.

9. motionless or moving very gently:

   quiet waters.

   Synonyms: unmoving

   Antonyms: active

10. free from disturbing thoughts, emotions, etc.; mentally peaceful:

    a quiet conscience.

11. said, expressed, done, etc., in a restrained or unobtrusive way:

    a quiet reproach;

    a quiet admonition.

12. not showy or obtrusive; subdued:

    quiet colors.

13. not busy or active:

    The stock market was quiet last week.

verb (used with object)

1. to make quiet.

   Synonyms: silence, hush, still

2. to make tranquil or peaceful; pacify:

   to quiet a crying baby.

   Synonyms: soothe, lull

3. to calm mentally, as a person.
4. to allay (tumult, doubt, fear, etc.).

   Synonyms: soothe, lull

5. to silence.

verb (used without object)

1. to become quiet (often followed by down ).

noun

1. freedom from noise, unwanted sound, etc.:

   At least there's quiet here.

   Synonyms: silence

2. freedom from disturbance or tumult; tranquility; rest; repose:

   This little beach is known for its quiet, but today a rowdy group of tourists is having a clambake.

   Synonyms: stillness, calm

3. peace; peaceful condition of affairs.

quiet

/ 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

noun

1. the state of being silent, peaceful, or untroubled
2. on the quiet
   without other people knowing; secretly

verb

1. a less common word for quieten

Derived Forms

• ˈquietness, noun

Other Words From

• qui·et·er noun
• qui·et·ly adverb
• qui·et·ness noun
• un·qui·et·ed adjective
• un·qui·et·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of quiet¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English adjective quiet(e), quite, from Old French quiet, quiete, and Latin quiētus, past participle of quiescere “to rest, rest in sleep, rest from toil”; Middle English verb quieten, partly derivative of the adjective, partly from Late Latin quiētāre “to calm,” derivative of quiētus; coy, quiescent

Word History and Origins

Origin of quiet¹

C14: from Latin quiētus, past participle of quiēscere to rest, from quiēs repose, rest

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with quiet , also see keep quiet ; peace and quiet .

Synonym Study

See still ¹.

Example Sentences

Mysterious forces seek to quiet the talking animals of Oz, who preach freedom and unity.

From Salon

In April 2023, the council had unanimously approved a developer’s request to apply for state funding for a project that would revamp a Quality Inn on a quiet tree-lined street surrounded by medical offices.

From Los Angeles Times

“About eight weeks out from production, that show was just going to disappear — restrictions that had nothing to do with our creative intentions,” said Jenkins, his voice becoming quieter.

From Los Angeles Times

And if it’s time to be quiet, it’s time to be quiet.

From Los Angeles Times

"Unlike other customers they were very friendly. We didn’t know much about them… they were just quiet," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• gentle
• mild
• placid
• private
• secluded
• sedate
• serene
• shy
• smooth
• stable
• tranquil