low-key
or low·key
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).
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.
to make or attempt to make low-key: to low-key the arms buildup.
Origin of low-key
1Words Nearby low-key
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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.
Later that night, this low-key man went out on stage with otherworldly energy.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTThe Pass is the dressed down, low key spot, while The Provisions is more formal.
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 | THE 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 CooperThe 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 WalkerThey 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 DigbyHe 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
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 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
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