Definition

Adjective 1. Not speaking; not making sound with the voice: Refers to a person or thing that is not talking or producing audible speech. 2. Making little or no noise; quiet: Describes an environment, object, or action that is free from sound. 3. Not expressed aloud; implied or understood without words: Refers to communication, consent, or agreement that is shown through actions or implications rather than speech. 4. Inactive or not operating: Used in specific contexts, such as a letter not pronounced in a word or a device not making noise. 5. Having a frequency outside the range of human hearing: Describes sounds that are inaudible to people.

Usage and Examples

• Describing a person who does not speak:
  • The witness remained silent throughout the interrogation.
  • He was a silent observer, taking everything in without comment.
• Describing a quiet place or situation:
  • The library was completely silent.
  • We walked through the silent, empty streets at dawn.
• Describing implied or unspoken communication:
  • She gave her silent approval with a nod.
  • There was a silent understanding between the old friends.
• In linguistics and technology:
  • The 'k' in 'knee' is a silent letter.
  • This is a silent fan; you won't hear it running.

Advanced Usage

• "fall silent": to become quiet after making noise.
  • The crowd fell silent as the speaker approached the podium.
• "silent as the grave": extremely quiet (idiomatic).
  • The house was as silent as the grave after everyone left.
• "silent treatment": a refusal to speak to someone as a display of displeasure.
  • After the argument, she gave him the silent treatment for days.

Variants and Related Words

• Silence (n.): The complete absence of sound or the state of not speaking.
  • There was a moment of silence to remember the fallen.
• Silently (adv.): In a silent manner.
  • The cat moved silently through the grass.
• Silent film (n.): A compound term for a movie from the early era of cinema with no synchronized recorded sound.

Synonyms

• Quiet: Making little or no noise.
• Mute: Refraining from speech, often by choice or inability.
• Tacit: Understood or implied without being stated (e.g., tacit agreement).
• Soundless: Completely without sound.
• Still: Free from sound or motion.

Antonyms

• Noisy
• Loud
• Talkative
• Vocal

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Silent partner": A business partner who invests money but is not involved in daily operations.
• "Silent majority": A large group of people in a country who do not express their opinions publicly.
• "Silent but deadly": Humorous idiom describing something (often a fart) that is odorless but potent.

Adjective

1. unable to speak because of hereditary deafness
2. having a frequency below or above the range of human audibility
   • a silent dog whistle
3. not made to sound
   • the silent `h' at the beginning of `honor'
   • in French certain letters are often unsounded
4. implied by or inferred from actions or statements
   • gave silent consent
   • a tacit agreement
   • the understood provisos of a custody agreement
5. failing to speak or communicate etc when expected to
   • the witness remained silent
6. marked by absence of sound
   • a silent house
   • soundless footsteps on the grass
   • the night was still