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silent

When used as an adjective, "silent" often describes a state of peace or tension depending on the context (e.g., a "silent prayer" vs. a "silent treatment"). Be careful when using it as a verb. While "silent" is sometimes used this way in specific contexts, the word "silence" is much more common and standard for the action of making someone or something quiet.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon in a quiet office; Jessica is panicking about a missed call.
Jessica

Did you ghost the client? I just saw you had your phone on silent.

Jessica
Mark
Mark

Chill. I'm just zoning out for a bit.

💡
Jessica uses 'silent' as the central point of her anxiety regarding Mark's lack of responsiveness. The dialogue includes the slang 'ghost' (to ignore someone) and the phrasal verb 'zoning out' (to lose concentration), reflecting the dynamic between a stressed manager and a slacker.

Meanings

adjective

Making or accompanied by no sound.

"The house was completely silent after the children went to bed."

adjective

Refraining from speaking; not making any utterance.

"He remained silent during the entire meeting, though he disagreed with the proposal."

adjective

Not articulated or pronounced in speech.

"In the word 'knight', the letter k is silent."

verb (transitive)

To cause to become silent; to suppress or stifle.

"The government attempted to silent the critics of the new law."

Last Updated: May 23, 2026Report an Error