hushed

/hʌʃt/ (bre, ipa) · /hʌʃt/ (ame, ipa)

hushed — adjective

  • hushedpositive
  • hushedercomparative
  • hushedestsuperlative

1. If a place, atmosphere, or voice is hushed, it is much softer than usual — often

1.形容詞B2
釋義

If a place, atmosphere, or voice is hushed, it is much softer than usual — often because people are being careful, respectful, or trying not to be overheard.

例句

The library went hushed the moment the principal walked through the door.

predicative: go / fall + hushed for a sudden drop in noise

Kabir spoke in hushed tones so the baby next door would not wake up.

collocation: hushed tones / hushed voice for careful, low speech

同義詞
  • subdued

    broader — applies to mood and lighting as well as sound

  • muted

    emphasises that the sound has been deliberately softened or muffled

  • quiet

    more general; lacks the careful or reverent feeling of 'hushed'

反義詞
  • noisy

    everyday opposite for places and crowds

  • loud

    opposite for voices and sounds specifically

文法句型

hushed + noun (voice, tone, whisper, silence, room)

用法筆記

Almost always used before a noun (a hushed voice, a hushed room) or after linking verbs like 'go', 'fall', 'become'. The implied cause is usually respect, secrecy, fear, or care — not random low volume.

常見錯誤

❌The street was hushed because no cars passed.
✅The street was quiet because no cars passed.
💡'hushed' implies people deliberately lowering their voices or noise, not a place that just happens to be empty.
❌Defne hushed her plans for the trip.
✅Defne kept her plans for the trip quiet.
💡as an adjective 'hushed' describes the sound or atmosphere, not the act of keeping a secret.