ENGLISH
REFERENCE

quietly

adv. manner
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈkwaɪətɫi// UK //kwˈaɪətli// qui·et·ly General-service

adv. in a way that makes very little or no noise. You also use it to describe doing something without attracting attention.

adv. in a manner characterized by little or no sound; with low volume or intensity. Can also describe an action performed without drawing notice or causing a disturbance.


SIMPLE

She closed the door quietly so she wouldn't wake the baby.

CONTEXTUAL

The students worked quietly at their desks while the teacher graded papers at the front of the room.

COMPLEX

The investigator moved quietly through the darkened hallway, careful to avoid the creaking floorboards that might betray his presence to those inside.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English quietely, quyetly, equivalent to quiet + -ly.

Usage

Manner adverb — typically placed after the main verb or after the object.

Pitfall

He spoke quiet to me.He spoke quietly to me.Learners often use the adjective 'quiet' instead of the adverb 'quietly' to describe how an action is performed.

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