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quiet Definition

quiet (kwī′ət)

adjective

  1. still; calm; motionless
    1. not noisy; hushed a quiet motor
    2. not speaking; silent
  3. not agitated, as in motion; gentle a quiet sea
  4. not easily excited or disturbed a quiet disposition
  5. not ostentatious or pretentious quiet furnishings
  6. not forward; unobtrusive a quiet manner
  7. secluded a quiet den
  8. peaceful and relaxing a quiet evening at home
  9. Commerce not busy a quiet day on the stock exchange

Etymology: ME quiete < OFr < L quietus, pp. of quiescere, to become quiet < quies (gen. quietis), rest < IE base *kweye-, to rest > while

noun

  1. a quiet state or condition; calmness, stillness, inactivity, freedom from noise, etc.
  2. a quiet or peaceful quality; freedom from turmoil or agitation

transitive verb

  1. to make quiet; calm or pacify, bring to rest, etc.
  2. to allay (fear, doubt, etc.)
  3. Law to make (a title) unassailable by freeing the fact of ownership from interference, disturbance, or question

intransitive verb

to become quiet: usually with down

adverb

in a quiet manner

quiet Related Forms

qui′·eter noun qui′·etly adverb qui′·et·ness noun

quiet Synonyms

quiet

modif.

  1. Calm

    peaceful, tranquil, untroubled, retired; see calm 1, 2, withdrawn.

  2. Silent

    hushed, muffled, noiseless, still, stilled, mute, muted, low, soft, inaudible, soundless, dumb, quieted, speechless, unspeaking, mum, quiescent, taciturn, reserved, reticent, unuttered, unexpressed, close-mouthed, close, tight-lipped, uncommunicative, secretive.

  3. Motionless

    unruffled, still, placid, level; see calm 2, smooth 1.

  4. Unostentatious

    subdued, unobtrusive, unpretentious, understated; see modest 2.

quiet Synonyms

quiet

n.

  1. Rest

    calm, tranquillity, relaxation; see peace 2, rest 1.

  2. Silence

    hush, stillness, speechlessness; see silence 1.

quiet Synonyms

quiet

v.

  1. To make calm

    calm, cool, relax, compose, tranquilize, soothe, comfort, satisfy, pacify, mollify, placate, assuage, console, subdue, reconcile, gratify, calm down, soften, moderate, smooth, ameliorate, allay, quell, becalm, lull, appease, restrain, palliate, sober, slacken; see also comfort, ease 1, 2.

    Antonyms excite*, irritate*, agitate. *

  2. To make silent

    hush, still, deaden, silence, soften, mute, tone down, lower the sound level, muffle, stifle, smother, gag, muzzle, stop, check, restrain, suppress, break in, cut short, preclude, confute, repress, refute, confound, answer, quell, insulate, dampen, shush, shut up*, stop the mouth*, floor*, put the lid on*, button up*, choke off*, put the kibosh on*, put the stopper on*, squelch*. *

    Antonyms sound*, ring*, cause to sound.

quiet Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

keep: Babies and toddlers are often cared for by old people who keep the tots quiet by stuffing their mouths with water-soaked bread and rags.

Modifying Another Word

  • fairly: Much to my surprise, we were in for a fairly quiet night.
  • relatively: Some months, like January in the depth of winter, are relatively quiet times, with no urgent tasks to grapple with.
  • unusually: We fulfilled all our build up targets and during the days set aside for exhibitor snagging our Service Desk was unusually quiet.
  • somewhere: The bar was really crowded and loud so I suggested we go somewhere quieter to talk.
  • eerily: Eerily quiet ( bar DL of course - where are rest of plane?
  • surprisingly: Iain Mees Great little box, and surprisingly quiet.

Preposition: as

mouse: They've been quiet as dead mice ever since.

Modifies a noun

  • lane: LOCATION A quiet lane leading directly to the waterfront which is within a few short steps.
  • cul-de-sac: A modern, extended semi-detached on a quiet cul-de-sac near the center of the village.
  • location: Its quiet location, being set 100 yards back from the road, has stunning views set under big Norfolk skies.
  • street: James's is a luxury townhouse hotel ideally located in a quiet street in London's premier location.
  • contemplation: Quiet contemplation, which could be seen as prayer, or actively praying, may allow for this.
  • cul: Windrush lies in a quiet cul - de - sac a few hundred yards from the village center.

Used with adjective complement

  • keep: No wonder they are keeping quiet about the figures.
  • stay: The sergeant told Taylor that she would not stay quiet, but that he could not arrest her as she was not drunk.
  • remain: However, the site remained quiet except for the weekly protest every Thursday afternoon.
  • seem: Anyway, it was really interesting and life on the islands seems really quiet, but I felt awful.
  • go: It went quiet for a moment then he said.
  • lie: The child lay quiet for a few moments, then fell into a deep sleep.