silence
/ˈsaɪləns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsaɪləns/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsī-lən(t)s/ (ame, mw) · /ˈsaɪ.ləns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsaɪ.ləns/ (ame, ipa)
silence — noun
- silencesingular
- silencesplural
1. a situation or period in which there is no sound at all, so everything is comple
a situation or period in which there is no sound at all, so everything is completely quiet.
A deep silence fell over the forest after the storm had passed.
collocation: silence falls / descends over [place]
The librarian asked for silence so students could concentrate on their homework.
Charlotte loved the silence of early morning before anyone else in the house woke up.
The silence in the old stone temple was broken only by birdsong from outside.
Lakshmi and Indra sat in complete silence as the rain tapped against the window.
文法句型
silence + of + [place/time]
silence + in + [place]
in + silence
用法筆記
Often paired with verbs of arrival or change: 'fall', 'descend', 'spread'. Common following prepositions include 'of' (silence of the night) and 'in' (silence in the room).
常見錯誤
2. the act or state of not saying anything, especially when people expect you to sp
the act or state of not saying anything, especially when people expect you to speak or when speech would be normal.
Hiro's silence during the meeting made his colleagues wonder what he was thinking.
possessive + silence + during [event]
There was an awkward silence after Marco asked about the missing funds from the account.
Zuri's silence on the matter suggested she did not agree with the team's final decision.
The two friends walked home in comfortable silence, each absorbed in their own thoughts.
- speechlessness
temporary inability to speak due to emotion
- reticence
a personality trait of being quiet or reserved
- muteness
more extreme; complete refusal or inability to speak
文法句型
possessive + silence
in + silence
silence + during + [event]
用法筆記
Frequently used with possessive determiners ('his silence', 'their silence') and in the pattern 'in silence'. Distinguish from sense 1 (NO SOUND), which refers to absence of all noise, not just speech.
常見錯誤
3. a short period of quiet during a conversation when people feel embarrassed, unco
a short period of quiet during a conversation when people feel embarrassed, uncomfortable, or emotionally tense and do not know what to say.
An uncomfortable silence filled the room when no one knew what to say next.
[adjective] + silence + fills [place]
Kofi tried to break the awkward silence by telling a funny story about his dog.
break + the + silence
After Xiu asked about the accident, there was a long and painful silence.
Roya ended the tense silence by suggesting the group change the subject.
- conversation
an exchange of words between people
文法句型
[adjective] + silence
silence + fills + [place]
break + the + silence
用法筆記
Describes a temporary pause in a conversation that carries emotional weight — embarrassment, tension, or sadness. Unlike sense 2 (NOT SPEAKING), this sense always occurs within a social interaction and signals discomfort or emotional charge.
常見錯誤
4. when a person or group chooses not to discuss a particular issue, does not answe
when a person or group chooses not to discuss a particular issue, does not answer questions directed at them, or cuts off contact with others — often because the matter is serious or they want to withhold information.
The company's silence about the safety problems worried the factory workers deeply.
silence + about + [topic]
Sivan's silence during the official investigation raised serious questions among staff.
After years of complete silence between the two families, a letter finally arrived.
Zola maintained a deliberate silence on the subject despite repeated questions from reporters.
- secrecy
the intentional hiding of information
- non-communication
broader; can include lack of contact by letter or phone
- reticence
more about personal character; less about a specific refusal to disclose
- disclosure
the act of making information known
- communication
exchanging information by speaking or writing
文法句型
silence + about/on + [topic]
maintain/keep + silence
break + one's + silence
用法筆記
Subject is often an organisation or authority figure who has a duty or expectation to speak. Common patterns: 'silence about/on [topic]', 'maintain silence', 'break one's silence'. Frequently appears in news and formal contexts.
常見錯誤
silence — verb
- silencepresent simple I / you / we / they
- silences3rd person singular
- silencing-ing form
- silencedpast simple
1. to stop someone or something from making a noise, so that it becomes quiet or qu
to stop someone or something from making a noise, so that it becomes quiet or quieter.
The teacher silenced the noisy classroom with a single stern look from the door.
silence + [someone] + with [means]
Elena silenced her phone before entering the movie theatre last night.
The sudden appearance of the head teacher silenced the students in the hallway.
Adina tried to silence the crying baby by rocking her gently in her arms.
文法句型
silence + [someone/something]
silence + [someone] + with + [means]
用法筆記
Object is typically a person, group, or source of noise. Can describe gentle action (silencing a phone) or firm authority (silencing a noisy class). Not usually used for mechanical devices that are turned off.
常見錯誤
2. to stop a person from stating their views or raising objections, usually by usin
to stop a person from stating their views or raising objections, usually by using power, intimidation, or social influence.
The government tried to silence its critics by shutting down the independent newspaper.
silence critics / opponents
Shirin refused to be silenced by threats from the company's lawyers.
passive: be silenced by [agent]
Pressure from powerful business interests silenced many who wanted to report the problem.
The main witness was silenced before she could give evidence in court.
文法句型
silence + [someone]
be silenced + by + [agent]
silence + [critics/opposition]
用法筆記
Carries a negative connotation of unfair or oppressive action. The agent is usually an authority figure or institution with power over the silenced person. Frequently used in passive voice: 'was silenced by...'.