What does "quiet" mean?
The absence of sound; quietness.
Quiet
/ˈkwaɪ.ɪt/ adj, intj, noun, verb
adj, intj, noun, verb ·Top 500 ·Elementary level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The absence of sound; quietness.
- Grammar: quiet is listed as adj, intj, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: lull, silence, abate, abrupt silence.
- Useful contrasts: audible, boastful, noisy.
- Usage evidence: To be quiet in class is to respect other people's sleep.
How to use "quiet"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "quiet" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "quiet" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "quiet" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "quiet" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "quiet" is acting as adj, intj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "lull" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "quiet", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The absence of sound; quietness. countable, uncountable
"There was a strange quiet in the normally very lively plaza."
- 2 a disposition free from stress or emotion wordnet
- 3 The absence of movement; stillness, tranquility. countable, uncountable
- 4 the absence of sound wordnet
- 5 The absence of disturbance or trouble; peace, security. countable, uncountable
"The King & his Nobles thinke they may ſleepe in quiet, Now they haue giuen vs a little holy water at the Court, But thers no ſuch matter, we be no ſuch fooles, To be bobd out with words and after come to hanging: […]"
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 an untroubled state; free from disturbances wordnet
- 7 a period of calm weather wordnet
Verb
- 1 To cause (someone or something) to become quiet. transitive
"Can you quiet your child? He’s making lots of noise."
- 2 make calm or still wordnet
- 3 To become quiet or calm. intransitive
"When you quiet, we can start talking."
- 4 become quiet or quieter wordnet
Adjective
- 1 With little or no sound; free of disturbing noise.
"I can't hear the music; it is too quiet."
- 2 Having little motion or activity; calm.
"the sea was quiet"
- 3 Not busy, of low quantity.
"The traffic was quiet for a Monday morning."
- 4 Not talking much or not talking loudly; reserved.
"He's a very quiet man usually, but is very chatty after a few beers."
- 5 Not showy; undemonstrative.
"a quiet dress"
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Requiring little or no interaction.
"a quiet install"
Adjective
- 1 (of the sun) characterized by a low level of surface phenomena, such as sunspots wordnet
- 2 (of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves wordnet
- 3 in a softened tone wordnet
- 4 not showy or obtrusive wordnet
- 5 free of noise or uproar; or making little if any sound wordnet
Show 1 more definition
- 6 characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity wordnet
Adverb
- 1 with little or no activity or no agitation (‘quiet’ is a nonstandard variant for ‘quietly’) wordnet
Intj
- 1 Be quiet.
"Quiet! The children are sleeping."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"To be quiet in class is to respect other people's sleep."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "quiet"?
Common synonyms include: lull, silence, abate, abrupt silence, absolute silence, aesthetic.
How do you use "quiet" in a sentence?
To be quiet in class is to respect other people's sleep.
How do you pronounce "quiet"?
Pronounced /ˈkwaɪ.ɪt/.
Etymology
From Middle English quiete, from Old French quiet (adjective) and quiete (noun), from Latin quiētus, past participle of quiēscere (“to keep quiet, rest”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kʷyeh₁- (“rest”). Doublet of coy, quit, quite, and quietus. Largely displaced native English still in the sense of "with little or no sound".