silent: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, neutral, and informal. Common in all registers.
Quick answer
What does “silent” mean?
Making no sound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Making no sound; not speaking; not expressed or communicated.
Characterized by absence of noise or activity; discreet, inactive, or omitted from pronunciation (as in a silent letter). Can also describe a state of not communicating opinions or feelings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use 'silent' identically in core meanings. 'Silent partner' is common in AmE; BrE also uses 'sleeping partner'.
Connotations
Generally identical. 'The silent treatment' is equally common in both. 'Silent' in 'silent film' carries the same historical/cultural weight.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “silent” in a Sentence
[subject] + be/become/remain + silent[subject] + keep + [object] + silentIt is/was silent + prepositional phrase (e.g., in the hall)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “silent” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The committee voted to silence the noisy protester.
- The new insulation helped to silence the traffic noise.
American English
- The judge moved to silence the attorney.
- We need to silence these engine knocks.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as a flat adverb; 'silently' is standard) He prayed silent, his head bowed.
- (Poetic/archaic)
American English
- (Rare as a flat adverb) They stood silent in remembrance.
- (Poetic/archaic)
adjective
British English
- The 'k' in 'knight' is a silent letter.
- He remained silent throughout the entire interrogation.
American English
- All students were silent during the test.
- She became a silent partner in the business venture.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a non-participating investor ('silent partner') or a period without market activity ('silent period' before an IPO).
Academic
Used in linguistics ('silent letter'), history ('silent film era'), or social sciences ('silent majority').
Everyday
Describes quiet environments, people not talking, or muted devices.
Technical
In computing, 'silent installation'; in electronics, 'silent circuit'; in medicine, 'silent ischemia'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “silent”
- Using 'silent' for temporary/polite quietness where 'quiet' is better (e.g., 'Be quiet, please' not 'Be silent, please').
- Confusing 'silent' (no sound) with 'still' (no movement).
- Overusing 'silent' as an adverb. 'He sat silently' is standard; 'He sat silent' is adjectival and less common.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Silent' means a complete absence of sound or speech. 'Quiet' means making little or no noise; it's relative and less absolute. A 'quiet' room has low noise; a 'silent' room has none.
Not directly. The verb is 'to silence' (to make silent). 'Silent' is primarily an adjective.
A letter in a written word that is not pronounced when speaking the word, e.g., the 'k' in 'knife' or the 'b' in 'doubt'.
No. Context defines it. It can be positive (silent meditation, a silent agreement), neutral (silent film), or negative (silent treatment, silent suffering).
Making no sound.
Silent is usually formal, neutral, and informal. common in all registers. in register.
Silent: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsaɪlənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsaɪlənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The silent treatment”
- “Silent but deadly”
- “Silent as the grave”
- “A silent majority”
- “Silent partner”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'SILENT library' – you must be quiet and not SPEAK. The word itself has a silent 't' at the end, which you don't hear.
Conceptual Metaphor
SILENCE IS AN ABSENCE/EMPTINESS (silent void), SILENCE IS A BARRIER (wall of silence), SILENCE IS CONSENT (tacit approval).
Practice
Quiz
In which phrase does 'silent' have a negative connotation of intentionally not communicating?