# hushed

/ˈhəʃt/ (US) · /hˈʌʃt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hushed
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

to make a sound quiet or to stop speaking. You use this when you want to lower your voice or stop a loud noise.

For teachers: to reduce the volume of a sound or to suppress speech. Often used in the context of lowering one's voice or silencing a crowd.

## Examples

- She hushed the children before they could shout.
- The librarian had to hush the group of students who were talking too loudly in the quiet reading area.
- As the sun began to set, the crowd hushed, waiting in silence for the final performance to begin.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.