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"Silent" vs. "quiet": comparing subtle shades of calm

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem 02/11/2024, 10:04

English.me team member

Silent and quiet. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both words relate to low noise or lack of sound.

What is different?

Silent implies complete absence of sound, while quiet indicates a low level of noise, not necessarily absence.

Which one is more common?

Internet search results for silent) and quiet

Examples of usage

Silent

The room was silent after the announcement.
She remained silent during the entire meeting.

Quiet

Please keep the noise down and be quiet.
The neighborhood is very quiet at night.

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