Silence
/ˈsaɪləns/
Definitions
3 meaningsThe complete absence of sound.
/ˈsaɪləns/
The absence of sound or noise.
The sudden silence after the explosion was deafening.
💡 Simply: Silence is like when everyone stops talking or when you don't hear anything at all, like when you're trying to be sneaky!
👶 For kids: Silence is when it's quiet and you can't hear anything.
More Examples
The silence of the forest was broken only by the call of a bird.
He demanded silence from the crowd before he could continue.
How It's Used
"The library is known for its silence."
"The composer used silence as a dramatic element in the piece."
Refraining from speaking or making a sound.
/ˈsaɪləns/
The state of being silent; unwillingness or refusal to speak or give information.
The accused maintained his silence.
💡 Simply: Silence can also mean choosing not to talk about something, like when you have a secret and don't want to tell anyone!
👶 For kids: Silence can mean not talking when you're supposed to.
More Examples
His silence on the issue was interpreted as disapproval.
She promised to keep the secret in silence.
How It's Used
"The witness maintained silence throughout the interrogation."
"She chose silence to avoid an argument."
To cause to be silent; to suppress.
/ˈsaɪləns/
To cause someone or something to become silent.
The authorities tried to silence the critics.
💡 Simply: To silence someone means to make them stop talking or making noise, or to stop them from saying something.
👶 For kids: To silence someone means to make them be quiet.
More Examples
She silenced the argument with a single, powerful statement.
The music silenced the crowd.
How It's Used
"The government attempted to silence the dissidents."
"The sound of rain silenced the party."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
golden silence
A silence that is more valuable than speech, usually when words would be inappropriate or hurtful.
"After his insensitive remark, a golden silence descended upon the room."
the silence is deafening
Used to describe a lack of response or communication which is noticeable and perhaps indicates disapproval or disagreement.
"After I asked if anyone would volunteer, the silence was deafening."
From Old French *silence*, from Latin *silentium* 'a being silent, stillness', from *silens*, present participle of *silēre* 'to be silent'.
Historically, the word 'silence' has been used in literature to create dramatic effect or emphasize emotional states, as seen in Shakespeare's plays.
Memory tip
Think of a quiet forest where the only sound is the rustling leaves; that's silence.
Word Origin
"being silent"