Silent

/ˈsaɪ.lənt/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Not making or accompanied by any sound.

The room was silent after the announcement.

Expressing or characterized by a lack of speech.

She remained silent during the discussion, lost in her thoughts.

Not audible or incapable of being heard.

The silent film captivated the audience without a single spoken word.

Marked by a lack of activity or motion.

The silent streets at midnight were eerie and deserted.

From Old French 'silent' and Latin 'silentem', present participle of 'silere' meaning 'to be quiet'.

silent treatment

Refusing to speak to someone as a way of showing disapproval.

silent majority

A large group of people who do not express their opinions publicly.

silent partner

A business partner who does not participate in daily operations or decision-making.

silence

The absence of sound.

quiet

Making little or no noise.

hush

To make someone or something quiet.

Ghosting someone (ignoring someone completely).

He just went silent and never responded to my texts again.

Shutting down communication out of frustration.

After the argument, she went silent on him.