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Slang dictionary results for low-key
Synonyms

low-key

American  
[loh-kee] / ˈloʊˈki /
Or lowkey

adjective

  1. of reduced intensity; restrained; understated.

    Judicial elections used to be low-key affairs, attracting little campaign spending.

  2. (of a photograph) having chiefly dark tones, usually with little tonal contrast (distinguished from high-key).

adverb

  1. Slang. in a restrained or discreet way, or to a limited extent, without trying to attract attention.

    I low-key wish I was married with three kids, though it is fun to be single.

verb (used with object)

low-keyed, low-keying

  1. to make or attempt to make low-key.

    to low-key the arms buildup.
low-key British  

adjective

  1. having a low intensity or tone

  2. restrained, subdued, or understated

  3. (of a photograph, painting, etc) having a predominance of dark grey tones or dark colours with few highlights Compare high-key

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What else does low-key mean? Low-key can variously mean "quiet," "restrained," "moderate," or "easygoing." It can also behave as an adverb meaning "of low or moderate intensity." Like doing something, but in a "chill" way. For instance: We're having a party at my place but keeping it low-key so the neighbors don't complain.

Etymology

Origin of low-key

First recorded in 1890–95

Explanation

Something low-key is quiet or understated. A low-key wedding might be held in a friend's backyard, with a potluck reception — it's informal, small, and subdued. A person who's low-key is modest and soft spoken, and a low-key restaurant is comfortable and unpretentious. You might prefer your family's low-key way of celebrating birthdays (a cake and a few gifts) to the way your best friend's family does it (hiring caterers, clowns, magicians, and a band). Low-key can also mean "muted in color," like the low-key tones in your favorite painting.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Low key start to the second half, perhaps understandably.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2024

"Low key, humble mountain of a man who moved with honour and respect. He was easy to love and hard to hate," the rapper Bun B wrote on Instagram.

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2023

Low key as ever, Justin Herbert managed to restrain himself as he described his third-down pass to Keenan Allen that sealed the Chargers’ 20-16 victory over the Washington Football Team.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2021

Low key and analytic, Mr. Horvath lacked the swagger of many of his peers.

From New York Times • Dec. 6, 2012

Low key, yet so supportive we knew they were special over at Shift.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.