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
Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
The actress was joined by her daughters Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14, who both matched their mom's casual look in low-key outfits.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025
Though Tucker made sincere efforts to connect with teammates and become part of the clubhouse fabric, his low-key personality can sometimes be hard for others to read.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for low-key
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Adjective
By contrast, Blazy cuts a remarkably less recognizable figure — though his low-key personal style of jeans and T-shirt, and his under-the-radar public profile, should not be underestimated.
—Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
The actress was joined by her daughters Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14, who both matched their mom's casual look in low-key outfits.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Desert View Drive, a 25-mile scenic route along Arizona Highway 64, is a low-key wonder that rewards those willing to wander slightly off the park’s busiest paths.
—Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025
Though Tucker made sincere efforts to connect with teammates and become part of the clubhouse fabric, his low-key personality can sometimes be hard for others to read.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 16 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2025.
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