ENGLISH
REFERENCE

silent

adj.
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈsaɪɫənt// UK //sˈaɪlənt// silent General-service

adj. making no sound or noise. You use this to describe a person who is not speaking or a machine that works without making a sound.

adj. characterised by an absence of sound or noise; refraining from speech or expression. Often used to describe electronic devices or modes that operate without auditory output.


SIMPLE

The library is completely silent today.

CONTEXTUAL

I keep my phone on silent mode during meetings so the notifications do not distract my colleagues.

COMPLEX

The silent machinery of the modern electric vehicle allows it to glide through urban environments with minimal noise pollution compared to traditional combustion engines.

Synonyms
Origin

From Latin silēns (“silent”), present participle of sileō (“be silent”), from Proto-Indo-European *seyl- (“still, windless, quiet, slow”). Related to Gothic 𐌰𐌽𐌰𐍃𐌹𐌻𐌰𐌽 (anasilan, “to cease, grow still, be silent”), Old English sālnes (“silence”).

Usage

Typically functions as an attributive or predicative adjective; in technology contexts, it often modifies 'mode' or 'operation'.

Idioms2 entries

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