# quiet

/ˈkwaɪət/ (US) · /kwˈaɪət/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/quiet
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. little or no sound

adjective · CEFR A1

making very little noise or no noise at all.

For teachers: characterised by an absence of sound or disturbing noise.

- The library was very quiet while the students were studying for their exams.
- The electric vehicle moved with a quiet hum that was barely audible above the rustle of the wind through the trees.

### 2. calm and peaceful

adjective · CEFR A2

having little activity or movement; peaceful.

For teachers: characterised by a lack of activity, disturbance, or excitement.

- We spent a quiet afternoon reading in the garden.
- After the holiday rush, the village returned to its quiet routine, with few tourists remaining in the local inns.

### 3. not talkative

adjective · CEFR A2

describing a person who does not talk very much.

For teachers: tending to speak little or in a soft voice; reserved in temperament.

- He is a quiet man who prefers listening to others.
- Although she was quiet in large meetings, her written reports were exceptionally detailed and persuasive.

### 4. silence or peace

noun · CEFR B1

a state of silence or a time without any trouble or noise.

For teachers: the state of being silent or free from disturbance.

- I enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside on the weekends.
- The sudden quiet that followed the explosion was more unsettling than the noise itself.

### 5. to become or make calm

verb · CEFR B2

to make someone stop making noise or to become silent yourself.

For teachers: to cause to become silent or calm; to subside in intensity.

- The teacher waited for the children to quiet down before starting the lesson.
- The protests began to quiet as the government promised to review the controversial legislation.

Usage: Often used with the particle 'down'.

## Examples

- I need some quiet to focus on my work.
- After the children went to bed, the parents finally enjoyed the quiet of the house.
- The librarian insisted on absolute quiet in the reading room, a stillness broken only by the soft rustle of turning pages.

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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.