variants
or less commonly low-keyed
1
: having or producing dark tones only with little contrast
2
: of low intensity : restrained
1
informal
: in a way or to a degree that is moderate or limited
It didn't take long for all of us to become low-key [=somewhat] obsessed with Lizzo …—
Abi Travis
Abi TravisEverywhere we go, we're low-key [=casually] checking out coffee shops, parks, and window seats for maximum reading coziness.—Charlotte Ahlin
Charlotte AhlinWe asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us which products have low-key changed their lives.—Samantha Wieder
Samantha WiederFirst things first: for what it's worth, I low-key think Jake Gyllenhaal is the best actor of his generation.—Eric Ital
Eric Ital2
informal
: without seeking or receiving much attention or recognition
Nordstrom low-key announced the sale with little fanfare …—Danielle Gonzalez
Danielle GonzalezThe 21-year-old model and 24-year-old musician surprised everyone when they low-key stepped into a New York City courthouse to make it official …—Jamie Leelo
Jamie Leelo… is low-key getting some of the best and most underrated lines in these episodes …—Kase Wickman
Kase WickmanShe was low-key the best player on that season …—Leigh Oleszczak
Leigh OleszczakExamples of low-key in a Sentence
Adjective
hoping to make a good impression, he deliberately chose a low-key tie with a subtle pattern
Recent Examples on the Web
Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Critics have noted that this is low-key fare even by Jarmusch standards, but the notices have skewed positive and many connected with the movie.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
At Gilt, a low-key site that offers impressive deals on designer clothes, accessories, and shoes, Longchamp bags of all sizes and styles are up to 33 percent off.
—Nicol Natale, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for low-key
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Adjective
Your journey starts at a low-key hospitality lounge on Choeng Mon Beach.
—Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Critics have noted that this is low-key fare even by Jarmusch standards, but the notices have skewed positive and many connected with the movie.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025
Adverb
Dim lighting bounces off of soft pink tiles and warms the dining room, the bathrooms glow ocean blue, every inch of the space colored by the sisters’ sunny dispositions and their dedication to turning even the most low-key midweek dinner into an exercise in jubilant excess.
—The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
At Gilt, a low-key site that offers impressive deals on designer clothes, accessories, and shoes, Longchamp bags of all sizes and styles are up to 33 percent off.
—Nicol Natale, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for low-key
Cite this Entry
“Low-key.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/low-key. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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