silently

Silently is the adverb form of silent, describing an action performed with little or no noise, or in a manner that avoids attention. It can refer to the absence of sound during an activity, or to movements conducted without attracting notice, especially in quiet or solemn contexts.

Etymology: The word silently is formed from the adjective silent plus the adverbial suffix -ly. The adjective silent derives from Latin silēns, meaning “being still,” via Old French silenc.

Usage and nuance: Silently often emphasizes the absence of audible sound, and can convey stealth, secrecy, or solemnity. It differs from quietly, which tends to describe low volume or soft behavior without necessarily implying secrecy or stealth. In practice, silently is common in narrative and descriptive writing to set a mood where noise is avoided or expected.

Examples:

- The cat crept silently through the room.

- He spoke quietly so as not to wake the baby.

- The crowd waited silently during the moment of silence.

See also:

- silent

- silence

- noiseless

- hush

- stealth