Quiet vs. Silence — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Quiet and Silence
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Compare with Definitions
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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