quietude

noun

qui·​etude ˈkwī-ə-ˌtüd How to pronounce quietude (audio)
-ˌtyüd
: a quiet state : repose

Examples of quietude in a Sentence

after his tantrum, the toddler lapsed into an exhausted quietude and fell asleep the quietude of the early morning was broken only by the occasional chirping of birds
Recent Examples on the Web In the winter stillness on a frozen lake, a man’s gleeful howl torpedoed the quietude. Julia Daye, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2024 At work, Fran’s quietude exists against the mundane chatter of her co-workers. Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2024 Despite the quietude of the music, which at times bordered on morose, the xx became unexpectedly influential, transcending their status as indie darlings. Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023 But even in the context of previous Rolls-Royces, the electric Spectre represents a step change in quietude. Dave Vanderwerp, Car and Driver, 3 July 2023 For more information on ICF visit savingcranes.org. Boundary Waters recognized for its quietude The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota has been named a Wilderness Quiet Park due to its lack of human noise. Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2023 And while her onscreen persona in Focus Features’ Book Club: The Next Chapter might be palling around the world, Bergen appreciates the quietude of her coastal L.A. home. Sean Santiago, ELLE Decor, 16 May 2023 This kind of stylish quietude has been luring New York City dwellers to the Catskills and Hudson Valley region for generations. Jeffries Blackerby, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2023 These songs sound unadorned on first pass, but they are actually shifty; their sense of quietude is merely a misdirection from how precise the delicate arrangements are. Sheldon Pearce, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quietude.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin quiētūdō, from Latin quiētus quiet entry 2 + -tūdō, suffix of abstract nouns

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quietude was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near quietude

Cite this Entry

“Quietude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quietude. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

quietude

noun
qui·​etude ˈkwī-ə-ˌt(y)üd How to pronounce quietude (audio)
: the state of being quiet : tranquillity

More from Merriam-Webster on quietude

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