low-key

or low·key

[ loh-kee ]

/ ˈloʊˈki /

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See synonyms for low-key on Thesaurus.com

adjective Also low-keyed .

of reduced intensity; restrained; understated: Judicial elections used to be low-key affairs, attracting little campaign spending.

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

adverb

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-key·ing.

to make or attempt to make low-key: to low-key the arms buildup.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of low-key

First recorded in 1890–95

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use low-key in a sentence

However, as she feared, The Bell Jar appeared to indifferent notices and the launch—which Ted attended—was rather low-key.
Ted Hughes’s Brother on Losing Sylvia Plath|Gerald Hughes|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Later that night, this low-key man went out on stage with otherworldly energy.
When I Met Robin Williams in Afghanistan|Matthew Kaminski|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We prefer the low key spots, where the eating is as cheap as it is delicious.
The Best Food In Miami Is On Calle Ocho in Little Havana|Starbucks|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Pass is the dressed down, low key spot, while The Provisions is more formal.
In Houston, The Eats Are On Fire|Starbucks|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In person, Ligety is fairly humble, and low-key—almost enigmatic.
The Can't-Miss Sochi Showdown: Bode Miller And Ted Ligety|Jake Bright|February 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Voices at last, low and muffled, voices pitched in a low key, men talking as in deep confidence.
The Imaginary Marriage|Henry St. John Cooper
The girls sit down all the time in a row, and wave their hands and arms about and sing in a low key and in frightful discord.
Wanderings Among South Sea Savages And in Borneo and the Philippines|H. Wilfrid Walker
They continued the conversation, turned into this ominous channel, in the same low key.
The Son of Clemenceau|Alexandre (fils) Dumas
"In health you may dash the Potage with a little juyce of Orange" is in the same low key.
The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Knight Opened|Kenelm Digby
He used it to keep his voice in a low key and to measure his words on the great subject.
Within the Tides|Joseph Conrad

British Dictionary definitions for low-key

low-key

low-keyed

adjective

having a low intensity or tone

restrained, subdued, or understated

(of a photograph, painting, etc) having a predominance of dark grey tones or dark colours with few highlightsCompare 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

low-key

or low·key

Origin of low-key

Words related to low-key

How to use low-key in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for low-key

low-keyed