ENGLISH
REFERENCE

subdued

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //səbˈdud// UK //sʌbdjˈuːd// sub·dued

adj. quiet and calm, often because someone is feeling a bit sad or serious. You can also use it to describe colors or lights that are not very bright.

adj. characterised by a quiet, reflective, or low-key quality; lacking in intensity or brightness. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'remain' or 'seem'.


SIMPLE

The party was quite subdued after the bad news.

CONTEXTUAL

The office remained subdued for several days following the announcement of the company's restructuring.

COMPLEX

The interior designer chose a palette of subdued earth tones to create a sense of tranquility that contrasted sharply with the vibrant city outside.

Synonyms
Usage

Often follows a linking verb or precedes a noun to describe mood, lighting, or color.

© 2026 English Reference