Word
silently
Phoneticssilent·ly
US/ˈsaɪɫəntɫi/
UK/sˈaɪləntli/
Adverb of manner
Definitions
01without noise
B1 · Intermediate
adv. in a way that makes no sound.
adv. in a manner that produces no audible sound.
“The cat crept silently across the wooden floor toward the bird.”
“The submarine glided silently through the deep water, its advanced propulsion system designed to evade detection by enemy sonar.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02without speaking
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. without saying anything out loud.
adv. without verbal expression; used when someone is thinking or reacting internally.
“She sat silently in the back of the car, thinking about her day.”
“He stood silently at the back of the hall, observing the heated debate without offering his own opinion on the matter.”
Synonyms
03without notification
C1 · Advanced Computing Technical
adv. when a change is made to a file or document without telling anyone.
adv. referring to a process or update that occurs without explicit acknowledgment or user notification.
“The app updated silently in the background while I was sleeping.”
“The script was designed to fail silently, ensuring that minor errors would not interrupt the user's workflow with unnecessary dialogue boxes.”
Usage
Often describes software updates or text corrections.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From silent + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Idioms
01. yell silently
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/silently