silence
pronunciation
How to pronounce silence in British English:
UK [ˈsaɪləns]
How to pronounce silence in American English:
US [ˈsaɪləns]
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- Noun:
- the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)
- the absence of sound
- a refusal to speak when expected
- the trait of keeping things secret
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- Verb:
- cause to be quiet or not talk
- keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure
Word Origin
- silence (n.)
- c. 1200, "muteness, state of being silent," from Old French silence "state of being silent; absence of sound," from Latin silentium "a being silent," from silens, present participle of silere "be quiet or still," of unknown origin. Meaning "absence of sound" in English is from late 14c.
- silence (v.)
- 1560s, intransitive, "become still or silent;" 1590s, transitive, "make silent," from silence (n.). Related: Silenced; silencing.
Synonym
your up not it another be off quiet mouth silent sh shut hold turn tongue still belt word whist can shush hist hush
abate relieve alleviate deaden lessen temper dull weaken blunt slacken diminish quench decrease moderate lighten
arrest put curb stop squelch kill gag throttle inhibit strangle quash repress muzzle crush restrain censor preclude slay choke quell smother down subdue cut interrupt check prevent squash murder chasten in stifle suppress
reticence reservation shyness constraint meekness timidity bashfulness reserve diffidence uncommunicativeness timorousness
Example
- 1. Silence is a deadly weapon .
- 2. Their silence was a rebuke .
- 3. Never be bullied into silence .
- 4. Peremptory silence no longer works .
- 5. Civilian silence thus spoke volumes .