quiet
Making little or no noise; calm and peaceful.
Word facts
Definition
Quiet describes something with little or no sound. It also describes a person, place, or period that is calm, peaceful, and free from disturbance. As a noun, quiet refers to the absence of noise.
Usage: Quiet implies low sound or absence of noise. Silent means completely without sound. Calm and peaceful refer more to the feeling of stillness, which can include gentle sounds.
Example sentences
- 1
The library is usually quiet in the early morning.
- 2
She spoke in a quiet voice so as not to disturb the others.
- 3
After the chaos, a quiet evening at home was exactly what he needed.
Word family
From Latin quietus ('at rest, resting'), from quies ('rest, peace'). Quiet and rest share a deep connection — both describe a state of stillness.
Quiet contains 'quit' — everything has quit making noise. When it is quiet, all the noise has quit.
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What is the difference between quiet and silent?
Quiet means low noise or very little sound. Silent means completely without sound.
How is quiet used as a noun?
As a noun, quiet refers to the state of silence: 'in the quiet of the evening', 'a moment of quiet'.