quieten

American  

[kwahy-i-tn] / ˈkwaɪ ɪ tn /

verb (used without object)

1. to become quiet (often followed bydown ).

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verb (used with object)

1. to make quiet.

quieten British  

/ ˈkwaɪətən /

verb

1. (often foll by down) to make or become calm, silent, etc; pacify or become peaceful

2. (tr) to allay (fear, doubts, etc)

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Other Word Forms

• quietener noun

Etymology

Origin of quieten

First recorded in 1820–30; quiet + -en ¹

Example Sentences

“Maybe you shouldn’t be speaking every day. You should just let things quieten down,” Macron said on Thursday.

From Salon • Apr. 2, 2026

Martin Zubimendi's long-range drive just before half-time settled the nerves of the home crowd at the Emirates Stadium before Viktor Gyokeres struck twice to quieten his critics.

From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026

The umpire had to repeatedly call for spectators to quieten down as they tried, unsuccessfully, to will Eala to victory.

From Barron's • Jan. 19, 2026

Clearly, music seemed to quieten the internal storm.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2025

Sacrabani, who had been screaming vigorously, began to quieten down: he gave one or two more tentative wails, then his mouth split in something like a smile and his fingers curled round Selvam’s.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya