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Quiet vs. Silence — What's the Difference?

Quiet vs. Silence — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Quiet and Silence

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Quiet

Making little or no noise
I was as quiet as I could be, but he knew I was there
The car has a quiet, economical engine

Silence

Silence is the absence of ambient audible sound, the emission of sounds of such low intensity that they do not draw attention to themselves, or the state of having ceased to produce sounds; this latter sense can be extended to apply to the cessation or absence of any form of communication, whether through speech or other medium.Sometimes speakers fall silent when they hesitate in searching for a word, or interrupt themselves before correcting themselves. Discourse analysis shows that people use brief silences to mark the boundaries of prosodic units, in turn-taking, or as reactive tokens, e.g., as a sign of displeasure, disagreement, embarrassment, desire to think, confusion, and the like.

Quiet

Carried out discreetly, secretly, or with moderation
We wanted a quiet wedding
I'll have a quiet word with him

Silence

The condition or quality of being or keeping still and silent.

Quiet

Absence of noise or bustle; silence; calm
The ringing of the telephone shattered the early morning quiet
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Silence

The absence of sound; stillness.

Quiet

Make or become silent, calm, or still
The journalists quieted down as Judy stepped on to the dais
There are ways of quieting kids down

Silence

A period of time without speech or noise.

Quiet

Making or characterized by little or no noise
A quiet library.
A quiet street.
A quiet, well tuned engine.

Silence

Refusal or failure to speak out.

Quiet

Free of turmoil and agitation; calm
A quiet lake.
A quiet place in the country.

Silence

To make silent or bring to silence
Silenced the crowd with a gesture.

Quiet

Providing or allowing relaxation; restful; soothing
A quiet afternoon nap.
A quiet tune on the flute.

Silence

To curtail the expression of; suppress
Silencing all criticism.
Silenced their opponents.

Quiet

Not showy or bright; subdued
A room decorated in quiet colors.

Silence

(Genetics) To interfere with the expression of (a gene or gene segment) so that its biological function is suppressed.

Quiet

Restrained, as in style; understated
A quiet strength.
A quiet life.

Silence

The absence of any sound.
When the motor stopped, the silence was almost deafening.

Quiet

Out of public scrutiny; known or discussed by few
Wanted to keep the incident quiet until after the election.

Silence

The act of refraining from speaking.
"You have the right to silence," said the police officer.

Quiet

The quality or condition of being quiet
"A menacing quiet fills the empty streets" (Time).

Silence

Form of meditative worship practiced by the Society of Friends (Quakers); meeting for worship.
During silence a message came to me that there was that of God in every person.

Quiet

To cause to become quiet
The teacher quieted the students.

Silence

(transitive) To make (someone or something) silent.
Can you silence the crowd, so we can start the show?

Quiet

To make (a title) secure by freeing from uncertainties or adverse claims as to the ownership.

Silence

(transitive) To repress the expression of something.
Women, as well as children, have their thoughts or emotions routinely silenced.

Quiet

To become quiet
The child wouldn't quiet down for me.

Silence

(transitive) To suppress criticism, etc.
Silence the critics.
Silence the doubters.

Quiet

With little or no sound; free of disturbing noise.
I can't hear the music; it is too quiet.

Silence

(molecular biology) To block gene expression.

Quiet

Having little motion or activity; calm.
The sea was quiet
A quiet night at home
All quiet on the Western front

Silence

(euphemistic) To murder.

Quiet

Not busy, of low quantity.
The traffic was quiet for a Monday morning.
Business was quiet for the season.

Silence

(imperative) Be silent.
Silence! Enough of your insolence!

Quiet

Not talking much or not talking loudly; reserved.
He's a very quiet man usually, but is very chatty after a few beers.

Silence

The state of being silent; entire absence of sound or noise; absolute stillness.
I saw and heared; for such a numerous hostFled not in silence through the frighted deep.

Quiet

Not showy; undemonstrative.
A quiet dress
Quiet colours
A quiet movement

Silence

Forbearance from, or absence of, speech; taciturnity; muteness.

Quiet

(software) Requiring little or no interaction.
A quiet install

Silence

Secrecy; as, these things were transacted in silence.
The administration itself keeps a profound silence.

Quiet

(transitive) To cause (someone or something) to become quiet.
Can you quiet your child? He’s making lots of noise.
The umpire quieted the crowd so the game could continue in peace.

Silence

The cessation of rage, agitation, or tumilt; calmness; quiest; as, the elements were reduced to silence.

Quiet

(intransitive) To become quiet or calm.
When you quiet, we can start talking.

Silence

Absence of mention; oblivion.
And what most merits fame, in silence hid.

Quiet

The absence of sound; quietness.
There was a strange quiet in the normally very lively plaza.
We need a bit of quiet before we can start the show.

Silence

Be silent; - used elliptically for let there be silence, or keep silence.

Quiet

The absence of movement; stillness, tranquility.

Silence

To compel to silence; to cause to be still; to still; to hush.
Silence that dreadful bell; it frights the isle.

Quiet

The absence of disturbance or trouble; peace, security.

Silence

To put to rest; to quiet.
This would silence all further opposition.
These would have silenced their scruples.

Quiet

Be quiet.
Quiet! The children are sleeping.

Silence

To restrain from the exercise of any function, privilege of instruction, or the like, especially from the act of preaching; as, to silence a minister of the gospel.
The Rev. Thomas Hooker of Chelmsford, in Essex, was silenced for nonconformity.

Quiet

In a state of rest or calm; without stir, motion, or agitation; still; as, a quiet sea; quiet air.
They . . . were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.

Silence

To cause to cease firing, as by a vigorous cannonade; as, to silence the batteries of an enemy.

Quiet

Free from noise or disturbance; hushed; still.

Silence

The state of being silent (as when no one is speaking);
There was a shocked silence
He gestured for silence

Quiet

Not excited or anxious; calm; peaceful; placid; settled; as, a quiet life; a quiet conscience.
That son, who on the quiet state of manSuch trouble brought.

Silence

The absence of sound;
He needed silence in order to sleep
The street was quiet

Quiet

Not giving offense; not exciting disorder or trouble; not turbulent; gentle; mild; meek; contented.
The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.
I will sit as quiet as a lamb.

Silence

A refusal to speak when expected;
His silence about my contribution was surprising

Quiet

Not showy; not such as to attract attention; undemonstrative; as, a quiet dress; quiet colors; a quiet movement.

Silence

The trait of keeping things secret

Quiet

The quality or state of being quiet, or in repose; as an hour or a time of quiet.

Silence

Cause to be quiet or not talk;
Please silence the children in the church!

Quiet

Freedom from disturbance, noise, or alarm; stillness; tranquillity; peace; security.
And join with thee, calm Peace and Quiet.

Silence

Keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure;
All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power

Quiet

To stop motion in; to still; to reduce to a state of rest, or of silence.

Quiet

To calm; to appease; to pacify; to lull; to allay; to tranquillize; as, to quiet the passions; to quiet clamors or disorders; to quiet pain or grief.
Quiet yourselves, I pray, and be at peace.

Quiet

To become still, silent, or calm; - often with down; as, be soon quieted down.

Quiet

A period of calm weather;
There was a lull in the storm

Quiet

An untroubled state; free from disturbances

Quiet

The absence of sound;
He needed silence in order to sleep
The street was quiet

Quiet

A disposition free from stress or emotion

Quiet

Become quiet or quieter;
The audience fell silent when the speaker entered

Quiet

Make calm or still;
Quiet the dragons of worry and fear

Quiet

Characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity;
A quiet life
A quiet throng of onlookers
Quiet peace-loving people
The factions remained quiet for almost 10 years

Quiet

Free of noise or uproar; or making little if any sound;
A quiet audience at the concert
The room was dark and quiet

Quiet

Not showy or obtrusive;
Clothes in quiet good taste

Quiet

In a softened tone;
Hushed voices
Muted trumpets
A subdued whisper
A quiet reprimand

Quiet

Without untoward incident or disruption;
A placid existence
Quiet times

Quiet

Free from disturbance;
A ribbon of sand between the angry sea and the placid bay
The quiet waters of a lagoon
A lake of tranquil blue water reflecting a tranquil blue sky
A smooth channel crossing
Scarcely a ripple on the still water
Unruffled water

Quiet

Of the sun; characterized by a low level of surface phenomena like sun spots e.g.

Quiet

With little or no activity or no agitation (`quiet' is a nonstandard variant for `quietly');
Her hands rested quietly in her lap
The rock star was quietly led out the back door
Sit here as quiet as you can

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