How to pronounce quiet
Say it like KWY-ut. Quiet has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KWY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce quiet. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KWY
- ut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Quiet pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KWYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- utKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of quiet
American and British speakers say quiet in essentially the same way: /ˈkwaɪət/ in the US and /ˈkwaɪət/ in the UK.
British respelling: KWY-ut.
What does quiet mean?
- characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity“a quiet life”“a quiet throng of onlookers”
- free of noise or uproar; or making little if any sound“a quiet audience at the concert”“the room was dark and quiet”
- not showy or obtrusive“clothes in quiet good taste”
- a period of calm weather“there was a lull in the storm”
- an untroubled state; free from disturbances
- the absence of sound“he needed silence in order to sleep”“the street was quiet”
- become quiet or quieter“The audience fell silent when the speaker entered”
- make calm or still“quiet the dragons of worry and fear”
Where does quiet come from?
From Middle English quiete, from Old French quiet (adjective) and quiete (noun), from Latin quiētus, past participle of quiēscere (“to keep quiet, rest”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kʷyeh₁- (“rest”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with quiet
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of quiet.
Questions about saying quiet
How do you pronounce quiet?
Say KWY-ut. The American pronunciation is /ˈkwaɪət/. In British English it is /ˈkwaɪət/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in quiet?
Quiet has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KWY). Broken into parts: KWY · ut.
Do Americans and Brits say quiet the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkwaɪət/ and the British form is /ˈkwaɪət/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.