silent

silent

adjective

Definition of SILENT

1

deliberately refraining from speech <the suddenly silent child had to be prompted to say hello>

Synonyms dumb, mum, mute, muted, speechless, uncommunicative, wordless

Related Words inarticulate, tongue-tied; nonvocal, voiceless; dumbstruck; sulking, sulky, sullen

Near Antonyms articulate, eloquent, fluent, voluble, well-spoken; gabby, garrulous, loquacious, talkative, talky; outspoken, unreserved, vocal; facile, glib, silver-tongued, smooth-tongued

Antonyms communicative, speaking, talking

2

tending not to speak frequently (as by habit or inclination) <a naturally silent boy, he was often overshadowed by his louder siblings>

Synonyms closemouthed, dumb, laconic, reserved, reticent, taciturn, tight-lipped, uncommunicative

Related Words aloof, indrawn, inhibited, introverted, reserved, restrained; sedate, self-contained, sober, staid; backward, bashful, coy, demure, diffident, modest, retiring, self-effacing, sheepish

Near Antonyms free-spoken, outspoken, vocal; gossipy, talebearing; diffuse, long-winded, prolix, rambling, verbose, windy, wordy; extroverted (also extraverted), gregarious, outgoing, sociable

Antonyms blabby, chatty, communicative, conversational, gabby, garrulous, loquacious, motormouthed, mouthy, talkative, talky, unreserved

3

mostly or entirely without sound <the room was so silent that you could have heard the proverbial pin drop>

Synonyms hushed, muted, noiseless, quiet, quieted, soundless, still, stilly

Related Words calm, peaceable, peaceful, serene, tranquil

Near Antonyms boisterous, clamorous, clangorous, clattering, clattery, raucous, rip-roaring, roaring, roistering, tumultuous

Antonyms noisy, rackety, unquiet, uproarious