quiet
/ˈkwaɪ.ət/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Making very little noise. A quiet place or person is not loud or busy. It can also mean calm and peaceful.
- The library is very quiet.
- She spoke in a quiet voice.
- We had a quiet evening at home.
noun
A period or state with little or no noise. It can also mean calm and peace.
- The quiet of the morning felt nice.
- We enjoyed the quiet after the party.
- Please keep quiet during the exam.
verb
To make someone less angry or less worried, or to become less noisy.
- The teacher quieted the class quickly.
- The baby quieted after a while.
- Try to quiet your mind before sleep.
Adinary Nuance
Quiet is about low sound or calm, while silent means no sound at all. It is often softer and more natural than noiseless or mute in everyday English. Writers also use quiet for peaceful moods, not just sound.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- yên tĩnh
- Spanish
- silencioso
- Chinese
- 安静
- Japanese
- 静かな
- Korean
- 조용한
Etymology
Quiet comes from Old French quiet, from Latin quietus, meaning “at rest” or “calm.” The older sense of peace is still common today.
Common phrases
keep quieta quiet placequiet voicequiet morning
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between quiet and silent?
- Quiet means there is little sound. Silent means there is no sound at all.
- Is quiet a positive word?
- Yes, often it is. It can suggest peace, rest, or calm.
- Can I say a quiet person?
- Yes. It means the person does not talk much or is not noisy.
- Is quiet used in formal writing?
- Yes. It is common in both formal and everyday English.