quiet Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a period of calm weather
    lull.
    • there was a lull in the storm
  2. noun an untroubled state; free from disturbances
    tranquility; tranquillity.
  3. noun the absence of sound
    silence.
    • he needed silence in order to sleep
    • the street was quiet
  4. noun a disposition free from stress or emotion
    tranquility; repose; serenity; tranquillity; placidity.
  5. verb become quiet or quieter
    quiesce; pipe down; quiet down; hush; quieten.
    • The audience fell silent when the speaker entered
  6. verb make calm or still
    still; tranquilize; tranquillize; calm down; calm; tranquillise; quieten; lull.
    • quiet the dragons of worry and fear
  7. adjective 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
  8. adjective free of noise or uproar; or making little if any sound
    • a quiet audience at the concert
    • the room was dark and quiet
  9. adjective satellite not showy or obtrusive
    restrained.
    • clothes in quiet good taste
  10. adjective satellite in a softened tone
    muted; hushed; subdued.
    • hushed voices
    • muted trumpets
    • a subdued whisper
    • a quiet reprimand
  11. adjective satellite (of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
    smooth; unruffled; placid; tranquil; still.
    • 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
  12. adjective of the sun characterized by a low level of surface phenomena like sunspots e.g.
  13. adverb with little or no activity or no agitation (`quiet' is a nonstandard variant for `quietly')
    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

WordNet

Qui"et adjective
Etymology
L. quietus, p. p. pf quiescere to rest, keep quiet; akin to quies rest, and prob. to E. while, n. See While, and cf. Coy, a., Quiesce, Quietus, Quit, a., Quite, Requiem.
Wordforms
comparative Quieter ; superlative Quietest
Definitions
  1. 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. Judg. xvi. 2.
  2. Free from noise or disturbance; hushed; still.
  3. Not excited or anxious; calm; peaceful; placid; settled; as, a quiet life; a quiet conscience. " So quiet and so sweet a style." Shak.
    That son, who on the quiet state of man Such trouble brought. Milton.
  4. Not giving offense; not exciting disorder or trouble; not turbulent; gentle; mild; meek; contented.
    The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. 1 Pet. iii. 4.
    I will sit as quiet as a lamb. Shak.
  5. Not showy; not such as to attract attention; undemonstrative; as, a quiet dress; quiet colors; a quiet movement. Syn. -- Still; tranquil; calm; unruffled; smooth; unmolested; undisturbed; placid; peaceful; mild; peaceable; meek; contented.
Qui"et noun
Etymology
L. quies, -etis. See Quiet, a.
Definitions
  1. The quality or state of being quiet, or in repose; as an hour or a time of quiet.
  2. Freedom from disturbance, noise, or alarm; stillness; tranquillity; peace; security.
    And join with thee, calm Peace and Quiet. Milton.
    Shak.
Qui"et transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Quieted; present participle & verbal noun Quieting
Definitions
  1. To stop motion in; to still; to reduce to a state of rest, or of silence.
  2. 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. Shak.
Qui"et intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To become still, silent, or calm; -- often with down; as, be soon quieted down.

Webster 1913