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Sullen vs Quiet - What's the difference?

sullen | quiet |

As adjectives the difference between sullen and quiet

is that sullen is having a brooding ill temper; sulky while quiet is with little or no sound; free from of disturbing noise.

As nouns the difference between sullen and quiet

is that sullen is one who is solitary, or lives alone; a hermit while quiet is the absence of sound; quietness.

As a verb quiet is

to become quiet, silent, still, tranquil, calm.

sullen

English

Adjective

(er)
  • Having a brooding ill temper; sulky.
  • * Prior
  • And sullen I forsook the imperfect feast.
  • Gloomy; dismal; foreboding.
  • * 1593 , , IV. v. 88:
  • Our solemn hymns to sullen dirges change;
    (Milton)
  • Sluggish; slow.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
  • The larger stream was placid, and even sullen , in its course.
  • (obsolete) Lonely; solitary; desolate.
  • (obsolete) Mischievous; malignant; unpropitious.
  • * Dryden
  • Such sullen planets at my birth did shine.
  • (obsolete) Obstinate; intractable.
  • * Tillotson
  • Things are as sullen as we are.

    Synonyms

    * sulky, morose

    Antonyms

    * cheerful * content * lighthearted * pleased

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) One who is solitary, or lives alone; a hermit.
  • (Piers Plowman)
  • Sullen feelings or manners; sulks; moroseness.
  • to have the sullens
  • * 1593 , , II. i. 139:
  • And let them die that age and sullens have;
    English adjectives ending in -en

    quiet

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • With little or no sound; free from of disturbing noise.
  • Having little motion or activity; calm.
  • Not busy, of low quantity.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
  • , chapter=8 citation , passage=It was a casual sneer, obviously one of a long line. There was hatred behind it, but of a quiet , chronic type, nothing new or unduly virulent, and he was taken aback by the flicker of amazed incredulity that passed over the younger man's ravaged face.}}
  • Not talking much or not talking loudly; reserved.
  • Not showy; undemonstrative.
  • a quiet''' dress; '''quiet''' colours; a '''quiet movement

    Synonyms

    * See also * See also

    Antonyms

    * loud * sounded * vocal

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To become quiet, silent, still, tranquil, calm.
  • When you quiet , we can start talking.
  • To cause someone to become quiet.
  • Can you quiet your child? He's making lots of noise.
    The umpire quieted the crowd, so the game could continue in peace.

    Synonyms

    * (become quiet) quiet down, quieten * (cause to become quiet) quiet down, quieten

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The absence of sound; quietness.
  • There was a strange quiet in the normally very lively plaza.
    We need a bit of quiet before we can start the show.
  • the absence of movement; stillness, tranquility
  • Usage notes

    Often confused with quite .

    Statistics

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