Word Games Pro Dictionary
silence
noun
verb
a refusal to speak when expected
Quick reference
Word Facts
- Word length
- 7
- Starts with
- S
- Ends with
- E
- Contains
- ILENC
- Scrabble score
- 9
- Database source
- OEWN 2025 Core
How it sounds
Pronunciation
ˈsaɪ.ləns
Listen
Audio Pronunciation
Meaning
Definitions
noun
a refusal to speak when expected
“his silence about my contribution was surprising”
noun
the trait of keeping things secret
noun
the absence of sound
“he needed silence in order to sleep”
noun
the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)
“there was a shocked silence”
verb
cause to be quiet or not talk
“Please silence the children in the church!”
verb
keep from expression, for example by threats or pressure
“All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power”
In context
Example Sentences
his silence about my contribution was surprising
he needed silence in order to sleep
the street was quiet
there was a shocked silence
he gestured for silence
Please silence the children in the church!
All dissenters were silenced when the dictator assumed power
Similar words
Synonyms
Opposite words