Word
quietly
Phoneticsqui·et·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkwaɪətɫi/
UK/kwˈaɪətli/
Adverb of manner
Definitions
01with little noise
A2 · Elementary
adv. making very little or no sound.
adv. producing little or no acoustic disturbance; at a low volume.
“The children played quietly in the corner while their father worked.”
“The librarian asked the students to speak more quietly so as not to disturb the researchers in the adjacent room.”
Antonyms
02without attention
B1 · Intermediate
adv. doing something in a way that other people do not notice.
adv. acting in a discreet or unobtrusive manner to avoid attracting public notice.
“She quietly left the party before anyone could ask her to stay.”
“The company quietly settled the legal dispute out of court to avoid negative press coverage before the product launch.”
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English quietely, quyetly, equivalent to quiet + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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