low-key

or low·key

[ loh-kee ]
See synonyms for low-key on Thesaurus.com
adjectiveAlso low-keyed .
  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-key·ing.
  1. to make or attempt to make low-key: to low-key the arms buildup.

Origin of low-key

1
First recorded in 1890–95

Words 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

British Dictionary definitions for low-key

low-key

adjective
  1. having a low intensity or tone

  2. restrained, subdued, or understated

  1. (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