- in a quiet manner
- just quietly ⇒ Austral between you and me; confidentially
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
quietly /ˈkwaɪətlɪ/ adv
qui•et1 /ˈkwaɪɪt/USA pronunciation
adj., -er, -est, n., v.
adj.
n. [uncountable]the quality or state of being quiet;
peacefulness.
v.
qui•et•ness, n. [uncountable]See -quie-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026adj.
- making little or no noise or sound:quiet neighbors.
- having little or no noise:a quiet street.
- silent:[be + ~]Be quiet!
- reserved in speech or manner:a quiet, private sort of person.
- free from disturbance or excitement:a quiet life in the country.
- free from activity:a quiet Sunday afternoon.
- still or barely moving:quiet waters.
- not readily noticed by others:raised an eyebrow in quiet reproach.
- not active:The stock market was quiet last week.
n. [uncountable]
peacefulness.
v.
- to (cause to) become quiet: [~ + object]He tried to quiet the howling dogs.[no object;
(~ + down)]The dogs quieted (down). - to make tranquil or peaceful:[~ + object]She tried to quiet the jittery children.
- to put to rest:[~ + object]Her father quieted her fears.
qui•et•ness, n. [uncountable]See -quie-.
qui•et1
(kwī′it),USA pronunciation adj., -er, -est, v.
adj.
v.t.
v.i.
qui′et•er, n.
qui′et•ly, adv.
qui′et•ness, n.
qui•et2 (kwī′it),USA pronunciation n.
adj.
- making no noise or sound, esp. no disturbing sound:quiet neighbors.
- free, or comparatively free, from noise:a quiet street.
- silent:Be quiet!
- restrained in speech, manner, etc.;
saying little:a quiet person. - free from disturbance or tumult;
tranquil;
peaceful:a quiet life. - being at rest.
- refraining or free from activity, esp. busy or vigorous activity:a quiet Sunday afternoon.
- making no disturbance or trouble;
not turbulent;
peaceable:The factions remained quiet for twenty years. - motionless or moving very gently:quiet waters.
- free from disturbing thoughts, emotions, etc.;
mentally peaceful:a quiet conscience. - said, expressed, done, etc., in a restrained or unobtrusive way:a quiet reproach; a quiet admonition.
- not showy or obtrusive;
subdued:quiet colors. - not busy or active:The stock market was quiet last week.
v.t.
- to make quiet.
- to make tranquil or peaceful;
pacify:to quiet a crying baby. - to calm mentally, as a person.
- to allay (tumult, doubt, fear, etc.).
- to silence.
v.i.
- to become quiet (often fol. by down).
- Late Latin quiētāre, derivative of quiētus. Compare coy
- Latin quiētus, past participle of quiēscere (see quiescent); (verb, verbal) Middle English quieten, partly derivative of the adjective, adjectival, partly
- Middle French)
- (adjective, adjectival) Middle English (1350–1400
qui′et•ly, adv.
qui′et•ness, n.
- 2. See still 1. 5. calm, serene. 9. unmoving. 14. still, hush, silence. 15. 17. lull, soothe.
- 2. noisy. 5. perturbed. 9. active.
qui•et2 (kwī′it),USA pronunciation n.
- freedom from noise, unwanted sound, etc.:At least there's quiet here.
- freedom from disturbance or tumult;
tranquillity;
rest;
repose:to live in quiet. - peace;
peaceful condition of affairs.
- Latin quiēt- (stem of quiēs) rest, peace; akin to quiēscere (see quiescent)
- Middle French quiete)
- Middle English quiet(e) (1300–50
- 1. silence. 2. calm, stillness.
- 1. noise. 2. disturbance.
'quietly' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):