Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
Someone who is ~ is not speaking.
Trish was ~ because she was reluctant to put her thoughts into words...
He spoke no English and was completely ~ during the visit...
They both fell ~.
ADJ: v-link ADJ
~ly
She and Ned sat ~ly for a moment, absorbing the peace of the lake...
ADV: ADV with v
2.
If you describe someone as a ~ person, you mean that they do not talk to people very much, and sometimes give the impression of being unfriendly.
He was a serious, ~ man.
= quiet
ADJ: ADJ n
3.
A place that is ~ is completely quiet, with no sound at all. Something that is ~ makes no sound at all.
The room was ~ except for John’s crunching...
ADJ: usu v-link ADJ
~ly
Strange shadows moved ~ly in the almost permanent darkness.
ADV: ADV with v
4.
A ~ emotion or action is not expressed in speech.
The attacker still stood there, watching her with ~ contempt...
ADJ: ADJ n
5.
A ~ film has pictures usually accompanied by music but does not have the actors’ voices or any other sounds.
...one of the famous ~ films of Charlie Chaplin.
ADJ: ADJ n