quietly

British  

/ ˈkwaɪətlɪ /

adverb

1. in a quiet manner

2. between you and me; confidentially

---

Explanation

Doing anything quietly means doing it while making very little noise. When you sneak down to the kitchen for that last piece of pie, you should tiptoe quietly past the rooms of your sleeping siblings. If the librarian frowns at you, puts a finger to his lips, and says "Shhhh!", it means he would like you to speak more quietly while you're in the library. Use this adverb for anything you do in a soft, hushed, or faint way. Whisper quietly when you don't want to be overheard, and chew your food quietly unless you really want to irritate your brother.

Example Sentences

At the center is Zoe, played by Raine, a teacher and mother quietly struggling under the pressure of holding everything together.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

When his character contacts Léa Seydoux’s French plant expert, it becomes almost too much rapturously intelligent star wattage for one quietly poetic movie, even if these god-tier actors are just zooming and talking shop.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026

"The first day... unfolded as a carefully choreographed state banquet, served on fine porcelain, while traders quietly inspected the cracks beneath the table. The optics were unquestionably constructive," said Stephen Innes at SPI Asset Management.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

Researchers found that much of the magma's rise happened quietly, with relatively little seismic activity during its ascent.

From Science Daily • May 14, 2026

I was just working my lure in close to the boat when I heard the boy giggle quietly, and I turned to see him reaching out to touch a fawn.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• privately
• secretly