# silently

/ˈsaɪɫəntɫi/ (US) · /sˈaɪləntli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/silently
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. without noise

adverb · CEFR B1

in a way that makes no sound.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. without speaking

adverb · CEFR B2

without saying anything out loud.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. without notification

adverb · CEFR C1 · Technical

when a change is made to a file or document without telling anyone.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She walked silently across the room.
- The cat crept silently through the tall grass, watching the bird from a distance.
- The snow fell silently throughout the night, blanketing the city in a thick layer of white that muffled the usual morning traffic.

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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.