Eerily quiet Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈɪərɪli ˈkwaɪət/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A state of profound silence, often accompanied by a sense of unease or foreboding, similar to the sound of a deadened or muffled environment.

Examples

• The eerie silence of the abandoned house sent chills down her spine.
• The stillness of the night was eerily quiet, punctuated only by the distant hum of crickets.

Synonyms

• Silent
• Dead
• Muted

Antonyms

• Boisterous
• Loud
• Noisy

Additional Information

Eerily quiet environments can evoke a sense of unease or discomfort due to our natural expectation of sound as a source of information. In some cases, the absence of sound can create a sense of unease or tension, as it can make us feel isolated or disconnected from the surrounding environment.

Culturally, eerily quiet environments have been used to create a sense of foreboding or unease in literature, film, and music. For example, a dark and eerily quiet forest may be used to set a sense of unease or dread in a horror movie.

Etymology

The term “eerily” has its roots in the Old English word “erig”, meaning “uncanny” or “strange”, while “quiet” comes from the Old English word “cweþ”, meaning “to be still” or “to be silent”.

Usage Notes

Eerily quiet should be used to describe a state of profound silence that is unusual or unexpected, and often accompanied by a sense of unease or foreboding.

Avoid using eerily quiet to describe a situation that is simply quiet or peaceful, as this may dilute the intended impact of the term.

Cultural References

• The silent, eerie quiet of the abandoned asylum in the movie “Silent Hill” set the tone for a sense of unease and foreboding.
• The eerily quiet forest in the movie “The Blair Witch Project” created a sense of tension and unease among the characters.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• A watched pot never boils, but the silence is eerily quiet.
• The city streets were eerily quiet at 3am.

Related Words or Phrases

• Dead silence
• Stillness
• Muted

Collocations

• Eerily quiet night
• Eerily quiet room
• Eerily quiet forest

Frequency of Use

Eerily quiet is a relatively uncommon term, but its use has increased in recent years due to its growing popularity in literature and film.

Common Misspellings

• Gherbera
• Horribly quiet