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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 (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

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.

Between daily longhorn cattle drives, rodeos, live music, and plenty of low-key ways to relax, there’s always something going on.

From Salon

Kendra Sullivan was at her family’s cabin in the Allegheny Highlands region in late October “just planning on having a low-key country weekend.”

From Salon

As a love story, “Fantasy Life” isn’t particularly original, but the low-key way Mr. Shear realizes some familiar situations is warm and human, with comic aspects and sad ones kept in an appealing balance.

From The Wall Street Journal

His low-key approach, say some papal observers, has made it harder for him to make himself heard in a wider world that’s being shaken up by populism, strongman leaders and raw power politics.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite winning 10 WTA singles titles, achieving a career singles high of No. 3 in 2022 and the No. 1 doubles ranking, Pegula’s low-key demeanor means she flies a bit under the radar.

From Los Angeles Times

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.