silent

Universal Words adjective 1 (of a person) not speaking: to remain / stay / keep silent * They huddled together in silent groups. * As the curtain rose, the audience fell silent. * He gave me the silent treatment (= did not speak to me because he was angry). 2 [onlybeforenoun] (especially of a man) not talking very much SYNQUIET: He's the strong, silent type. 3 where there is little or no sound; making little or no sound SYNQUIET: At last the traffic fell silent. * The streets were silent and deserted. 4 [onlybeforenoun] not expressed with words or sound: a silent prayer / protest * They nodded in silent agreement. 5 ~ (on / about sth) not giving information about sth; refusing to speak about sth: The report is strangely silent on this issue. * the right to remain silent (= the legal right not to say anything when you are arrested) 6 [onlybeforenoun] (of old films / movies) with pictures but no sound: a silent film / movie * stars of the silent screen 7 (of a letter in a word) written but not pronounced: The 'b' in 'lamb' is silent.