Words / A2

SYL-uh-nt/ˈsaɪlənt/

Silent means with no sound: keep silent, a silent room, the silent letter in “knife”. Quiet can still have a little sound; silent is stronger. Noisy is the opposite. Silence is the noun. Do not write silence when you need the adjective, or siren (an alarm).

Meaning

With no sound; not speaking.

Examples

• “Please keep silent during the exam.”
• “The street was silent after midnight.”
• “Remain silent until the recording light goes off.”

Good to know

keep silent / a silent room. Weaker: quiet. Noun: silence. Opposite: noisy.

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