Silence Definition & Meaning

silence
noun
  1. the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking); "there was a shocked silence"; "he gestured for silence"
  2. the absence of sound; "he needed silence in order to sleep"; "the street was quiet"
  3. a refusal to speak when expected; "his silence about my contribution was surprising"
  4. the trait of keeping things secret
verb
  1. cause to be quiet or not talk; "Please silence the children in the church!"
  2. keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure; "All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power"

Synonyms for silence

burke noun

British statesman famous for his oratory

♫ Rhymes
hush noun

(poetic) tranquil silence; "the still of the night" become quiet or still; fall silent

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
muteness noun

the condition of being unable or unwilling to speak

♫ Rhymes
quiet adv

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

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
quieten verb

become quiet or quieter; "The audience fell silent when the speaker entered" make calm or still

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
secrecy noun

the trait of keeping things secret the condition of being concealed or hidden

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms
secretiveness noun

characterized by a lack of openness (especially about one's actions or purposes) the trait of keeping things secret

♫ Rhymes
still adv

with reference to action or condition; without change, interruption, or cessation; "it's still warm outside

♫ Rhymes ↔ Synonyms

"Silence" in song lyrics

See how silence is used in real songs:

  • "And everywhere I rock I see they take a code of silence"
    The 7A3 — Lucifer
  • "But I'm really not violent, I meditate in silence"
    Aceyalone — Bigger They Come
  • "A moment of truth is hidden in silence"
    Aceyalone f/ Abstract Rude — The Saga Continues

Words that rhyme with silence

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Usage tips for "silence"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "silence" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for silence to find words that pair well.

Use "silence" in a verse

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♫ Rhymes with silence ↔ Synonyms for silence 🔬 Words containing silence

Frequently asked questions

What does silence mean?
the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking); "there was a shocked silence"; "he gestured for silence" the absence of sound; "he needed silence in order to sleep"; "the street was quiet" a refusal to speak when expected; "his silence about my contribution was surprising" the trait of keeping things secret cause to be quiet or not talk; "Please silence the children in the church!" keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure
What part of speech is silence?
Silence is a noun and a verb.
How many definitions does silence have?
Silence has 6 definitions across 2 parts of speech (noun, verb).

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