quietude

noun

qui·​etude ˈkwī-ə-ˌtüd 

-ˌtyüd

: a quiet state : repose

Synonyms

• calm
• calmness
• hush
• peace
• peacefulness
• placidity
• quiet
• quietness
• repose
• restfulness
• sereneness
• serenity
• still
• stillness
• tranquility
• tranquillity

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

Perhaps turning to the use of AI during quietude is reinforcing a dependency on generative AI. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

This seems to keep you within the boundaries of quietude. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

From serene nature retreats to silent walking, the quest for quietude has become one of modern travel’s latest trends. —Kim Cook, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2024

In recent weeks, the quietude of this affluent Beverly Hills neighborhood has been filled with the buzzing of tourists and true crime fanatics all swarming to peek at the infamous Menendez mansion on Elm Drive — where two brothers murdered their parents in 1989. —Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

quietude

noun

qui·​etude ˈkwī-ə-ˌt(y)üd 

: the state of being quiet : tranquillity