# quietly

/ˈkwaɪətɫi/ (US) · /kwˈaɪətli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/quietly
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. with little noise

adverb · CEFR A2

making very little or no sound.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. without attention

adverb · CEFR B1

doing something in a way that other people do not notice.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She closed the door quietly so she wouldn't wake the baby.
- The students worked quietly at their desks while the teacher graded papers at the front of the room.
- The investigator moved quietly through the darkened hallway, careful to avoid the creaking floorboards that might betray his presence to those inside.

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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.