silent
♦ si|lent /s'aɪlənt/
1 [ADJ] v-link ADJ
Someone who is silent is not speaking.
Trish was silent because she was reluctant to put her thoughts into words...
He spoke no English and was completely silent during the visit...
They both fell silent.
● silently [ADV] ADV with v
She and Ned sat silently for a moment, absorbing the peace of the lake...
2 [ADJ] ADJ n
If you describe someone as a silent person, you mean that they do not talk to people very much, and sometimes give the impression of being unfriendly.
He was a serious, silent man.
= quiet
3 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
A place that is silent is completely quiet, with no sound at all. Something that is silent makes no sound at all.
The room was silent except for John's crunching...
● silently [ADV] ADV with v
Strange shadows moved silently in the almost permanent darkness.
4 [ADJ] ADJ n
A silent emotion or action is not expressed in speech.
The attacker still stood there, watching her with silent contempt...
5 [ADJ] ADJ n
A silent film has pictures usually accompanied by music but does not have the actors' voices or any other sounds.
...one of the famous silent films of Charlie Chaplin.si|lent ma|jor|ity
[N-SING-COLL]
If you believe that, in society or in a particular group, the opinions of most people are very different from the opinions that are most often heard in public, you can refer to these people as the silent majority.
The silent majority of supportive parents and teachers should make their views known.si|lent part|ner (silent partners)
[N-COUNT]
A silent partner is a person who provides some of the capital for a business but who does not take an active part in managing the business. (AM BUSINESS; in BRIT, use sleeping partner)
1 [ADJ] v-link ADJ
Someone who is silent is not speaking.
Trish was silent because she was reluctant to put her thoughts into words...
He spoke no English and was completely silent during the visit...
They both fell silent.
● silently [ADV] ADV with v
She and Ned sat silently for a moment, absorbing the peace of the lake...
2 [ADJ] ADJ n
If you describe someone as a silent person, you mean that they do not talk to people very much, and sometimes give the impression of being unfriendly.
He was a serious, silent man.
= quiet
3 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
A place that is silent is completely quiet, with no sound at all. Something that is silent makes no sound at all.
The room was silent except for John's crunching...
● silently [ADV] ADV with v
Strange shadows moved silently in the almost permanent darkness.
4 [ADJ] ADJ n
A silent emotion or action is not expressed in speech.
The attacker still stood there, watching her with silent contempt...
5 [ADJ] ADJ n
A silent film has pictures usually accompanied by music but does not have the actors' voices or any other sounds.
...one of the famous silent films of Charlie Chaplin.si|lent ma|jor|ity
[N-SING-COLL]
If you believe that, in society or in a particular group, the opinions of most people are very different from the opinions that are most often heard in public, you can refer to these people as the silent majority.
The silent majority of supportive parents and teachers should make their views known.si|lent part|ner (silent partners)
[N-COUNT]
A silent partner is a person who provides some of the capital for a business but who does not take an active part in managing the business. (AM BUSINESS; in BRIT, use sleeping partner)