QUIETLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does quietly mean? 

• QUIETLY (adverb)
  The adverb QUIETLY has 4 senses:

1. with low volume

2. with little or no sound

3. with little or no activity or no agitation ('quiet' is a nonstandard variant for 'quietly')

4. in a restful manner

  Familiarity information: QUIETLY used as an adverb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• QUIETLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

With low volume

Synonyms:

quietly; softly

Context example:

the radio was playing softly

Sense 2

Meaning:

With little or no sound

Context example:

she was crying quietly

Antonym:

noisily (with much noise or loud and unpleasant sound)

Pertainym:

quiet (free of noise or uproar; or making little if any sound)

Sense 3

Meaning:

With little or no activity or no agitation ('quiet' is a nonstandard variant for 'quietly')

Synonyms:

quiet; quietly

Context example:

sit here as quiet as you can

Antonym:

unquietly (with agitation or turbulence)

Pertainym:

quiet (characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity)

Sense 4

Meaning:

In a restful manner

Synonyms:

quietly; restfully

Context example:

the streets are restfully sunny and still for the town is at mass

 Context examples 

"A cheap judgment," he remarked quietly.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

The family were all busy in the back part of the house, and she had made her way quietly in, hoping to surprise them.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

“Yes, he will have some beef-tea,” she said, quietly, looking up at me.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

On one such night, while all the house slept, White Fang awoke and lay very quietly.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

I slipped out of the room, unobserved by any eye—for the company were gathered in one mass about the trembling trio just returned—and I closed the door quietly behind me.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

At six o'clock he awoke, quietly lying on his back.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

"What is your trouble?" asked the Lion quietly.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

This month, you might want to quietly start to develop your case for a raise with examples of your good judgment and vision for the company’s future.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

The best times were when she sat quietly at work in the doorway, and I sat on the wooden step at her feet, reading to her.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I knocked gently and rang as quietly as possible, for I feared to disturb Lucy or her mother, and hoped to only bring a servant to the door.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)