le silence
silence
C'est l'absence de bruit ou de sons.
Definition & meaning
Silence means silence or quiet: the absence of sound, speech, or noise.
It can also mean silence as a refusal or failure to speak, such as not answering a question or withholding information.
- Le silence de la nuit était reposant. — The silence of the night was restful.
- Son silence était inquiétant. — Their silence was worrying.
Grammar & Word origin
Silence is a masculine noun: le silence. Its plural is les silences.
It comes from Latin silentium, meaning “silence” or “quiet.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- calme — calm or quiet; it emphasizes peacefulness rather than a complete absence of sound.
- mutisme — muteness or a refusal to speak; it refers specifically to a person’s lack of speech.
Antonyms
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Le silence dans la pièce était total.noun
The silence in the room was complete.
J'aime bien le silence du dimanche.noun
I like the silence of Sunday.
La nuit, le silence est doux.noun
At night, the silence is gentle.
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