hushed

[huhsht]

adjective

1. (of speech) deliberately quiet, especially when silence is prudent, respectful, or requested.

   Only an occasional whisper could be heard among our hushed voices.

2. (of a place or situation) having a calm silence, often because those in attendance are being respectful or are waiting to hear something: sitting nervously in the hushed courtroom.

   the hushed galleries of a museum;

   sitting nervously in the hushed courtroom.

Other Word Forms

• hushedly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hushed¹

First recorded in 1600–10; hush ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Grimes’ filtered coos and hushed vocals approximate cybernetic birdsong.

Read more on Salon

Speaking quickly and in a hushed tone, Mr Hussain fired questions at our reporter about his cover story - the mini-mart and the immigration fine.

Read more on BBC

Leaving Colorado, the airport gate was full of hushed conversations between people registering their disappointment with the movie.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Inside the barn, the lights were low, the sounds were hushed, the night slowly wore on.

Read more on Literature

Before the event, the members of the crowd spoke to each other in hushed tones about the recent Democratic mayoral primary.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• muted