quieter; quietest
1
: making very little noise
a quiet engine
the quiet hum of the refrigerator
He spoke in a very quiet voice.
She was as quiet as a mouse. [=very quiet]
2
a
: not talking
Surprisingly, the class was quiet.
"Be quiet!" she scolded.
Can't you be quiet for one minute? [=can't you stop talking?]
She suddenly turned/became/went quiet. [=she suddenly stopped talking]
b
: tending not to talk very much
He's a very quiet person.
She has a quiet disposition/temperament.
3
: not having much activity or movement
a quiet [=calm] sea
During the morning, business was quiet.
Some days at the store are quieter than others.
a quiet town/village/neighborhood
a quiet stretch of road
He led a quiet life.
4
: not disturbed by noise or people
We enjoyed a quiet [=peaceful] dinner for two.
I was looking forward to a quiet cup of tea.
I decided to do a little quiet reading.
5
: not shown or done in an obvious way
She worked with quiet determination.
There is a quiet confidence about him.
He was filled with quiet desperation/rage.
A quiet revolution was underway.
quiets; quieted; quieting
chiefly US
: to make (someone or something) quieter, calmer, or less intense
The announcer was trying to quiet [=(Brit) quieten] the crowd.
She tried to quiet [=calm, soothe] the crying baby.
Her comments have done nothing to quiet [=lessen] the controversy.
Unfortunately, his efforts did little to quiet [=dispel] our doubts.
—often + downThe announcer was trying to quiet down [=(Brit) quieten down] the crowd.
: the quality or state of being quiet or calm
the quiet of a wooded trail
Can I have some quiet here? I'm trying to study.
I need a little peace and quiet.
Cite this Entry
“Quiet.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/quiet. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.
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