silent
/ˈsaɪlənt/adjective★Beginner
general
Making no sound; completely quiet
The baby was silent during the long car ride.
The baby did not make any noise during the trip.
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Can also describe something that is not spoken or expressed.
general
Not speaking or expressing oneself
She remained silent during the argument.
She chose not to speak or respond during the disagreement.
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Often used to describe a person who is not talking.
Collocations
silent majoritythe majority of people who do not express their opinions publiclysilent treatmentignoring someone by not speaking to themsilent filma movie without sound or dialogue
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
silent but deadlyphrase
something that is very powerful or effective despite being quiet
silent partnerphrase
a business partner who provides capital but does not participate in management
💡Pro Tip
Common Usage
Use 'silent' for both physical and social contexts, such as a quiet room or someone who refuses to speak.
⚡Gold Rule
Correct Usage
'Silent' is an adjective, so it must describe a noun (e.g., 'silent night').
📖Word Origin
From Old French 'silent,' from Latin 'silens,' present participle of 'silere' (to be silent).
📝Usage Notes
Can describe both physical silence (no sound) and social silence (not speaking).
Word Breakdown
sil-
related to silence
root-ent
a suffix indicating a state or condition
suffixEnglish Dictionary