qui
n. countablen. a person who is very quiet or does not speak much. You might use this word to describe someone who stays silent in a group.
n. a person who is habitually quiet or reticent. Often used in literary or descriptive contexts to highlight a person's silence as a defining trait.
He was a bit of a qui in the meeting.
The teacher noticed that the new student was a natural qui, preferring to observe the class rather than participate in discussions.
In a family of loud and boisterous storytellers, her brother remained the family qui, absorbing every detail without ever feeling the need to contribute his own voice.
Usage
Typically used with the indefinite article 'a' to describe a personality type.
Last updated May 6, 2026