quietly
gb/kwˈaɪətli/ us/kwˈaɪətli/
A2
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A2
property
1
With little or no sound
In a way that does not make much sound.
Usage pattern:
to [verb] quietly
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'quietly' with 'quiet', which is an adjective; 'quietly' is used to describe how an action is done.
Synonyms
silently (Implies complete absence of sound, whereas 'quietly' may allow for very soft sounds.)
Antonyms
loudly (Indicates making a lot of noise, the opposite of 'quietly' in this sense.)
Collocations
speak quietly
|move quietly
|sit quietly
|close quietly
Themes
daily life
|communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She closed the door quietly so as not to wake the baby.
- He walked quietly down the hall.
- The teacher asked the students to work quietly.
Learner examples
- Please talk quietly in the library.
- He opened the box quietly.
- She sat quietly in the chair.
adverb
B1
property
2
Without drawing notice
In a way that does not make people notice you.
Usage pattern:
to [verb] quietly
Common mistake:
Some learners think this only refers to sound, but it can also mean without being noticed.
Synonyms
discreetly (Focuses on avoiding attention for privacy or sensitivity reasons, often more formal.)
Antonyms
openly (Done in a way that is visible and noticeable to others.)
Collocations
quietly leave
|quietly handle
|quietly accept
Themes
social behavior
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They quietly left the meeting before it ended.
- The company quietly changed its policy without announcing it.
- She quietly helped her friend without telling anyone.
Learner examples
- He quietly left the room.
- She quietly helped the man.
- They quietly walked away.
adverb
B1
property
3
In a calm or peaceful way
In a calm and peaceful way.
Synonyms
peacefully ('Peacefully' emphasizes lack of conflict or disturbance, while 'quietly' may also imply low volume or subtlety.)
Antonyms
restlessly (Indicates a state of agitation or lack of calm.)
Collocations
quietly confident
|quietly determined
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He sat quietly by the fire, lost in thought.
- She lived quietly in the countryside for many years.
- They accepted the news quietly.
Learner examples
- She sat quietly on the sofa.
- He lived quietly in the small town.
- They waited quietly for the bus.
Grammar
Dictionary form
quietly
IPA
GB/kwˈaɪətli/
US/kwˈaɪətli/
Syllables & stress
quietly (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (quietly)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: quietly
- Plural: quietlies
Word family
Expressions
go quietly
1/ɡˈoʊ kwˈaɪətli/
fixed phrase
Leave or accept without protest
To leave or accept something without making trouble.
Examples
- He decided to go quietly rather than argue.
- The minister went quietly after the scandal.
say something quietly under one's breath
1/sˈeɪ sˈʌmθɪŋ kwˈaɪətli ˈʌndɚ wˈʌnz bɹˈɛθ/
fixed phrase
Speak softly so others can't hear clearly
To say something very softly so people nearby cannot hear clearly.
Examples
- She muttered the answer quietly under her breath.
- He swore quietly under his breath when he saw the mess.
keep quiet
1/kˈip kwˈaɪət/
fixed phrase
Not speak or make noise
To not talk or make any sound.
Examples
- Please keep quiet during the movie.
- He kept quiet about what he saw.
quiet as a mouse
1/kwˈaɪət ˈæz ə mˈaʊs/
idiom
Extremely quiet
Very quiet; making almost no noise.
Examples
- The children were quiet as a mouse while their father slept.
- She moved through the dark house, quiet as a mouse.
quiet as a mouse
2/kwˈaɪət ˈæz ə mˈaʊs/
idiom
Completely silent
Very, very quiet.
Examples
- The children were quiet as a mouse when their father came home.
- She sat in the corner, quiet as a mouse.