Other

silent

Definition of silent

not making or accompanied by any sound:the wood was still and silent
(of a person) not speaking:she fell silent for a moment
not expressed aloud:a silent prayer
(of a letter) written but not pronounced, e.g. b in doubt: a silent ‘h’
(of a film) without an accompanying soundtrack: she appeared in a number of silent films
saying or recording nothing on a particular subject:the poems are silent on the question of marriage
(of a person) not prone to speak much; taciturn:I’m the strong, silent type

Phrases

(as) silent as the grave: see grave¹.
the silent majority: the majority of people, regarded as holding moderate opinions but rarely expressing them: it is vital to get the silent majority to stand up and be counted
the silent treatment: a stubborn refusal to talk to someone, especially after a recent argument or disagreement: often bosses ignore workers or give them the silent treatment

late 15th century (in the sense 'not speaking'): from Latin silent- 'being silent', from the verb silere

Definition of silent in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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