soundless
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈaʊndləs/
US
- /ˈsaʊn(d)ləs/
Description
- silent
- noiseless
- without noise
- utterly quiet
- making no sound
Something that is soundless makes no sound at all. It is stronger than quiet. A quiet room may still have a soft hum in the background, but a soundless place feels completely still. People often use the word for scenes in nature or moments of deep silence, such as a soundless night, a soundless snowfall, or a soundless stretch of empty land.
The word can also add feeling to a story. A soundless scream describes a scream that is seen or felt but not heard. A person may stand in soundless shock, unable to speak. In this way, the word often suggests peace, mystery, loneliness, or fear, depending on the scene.
"Soundless" means completely without sound. It describes a total absence of noise, not just a low level of noise. That is why it is stronger than quiet. A quiet street may still have distant traffic or wind, but a soundless street would seem to have no audible noise at all.
The word is often used in descriptive or literary writing. Writers use it to paint scenes that feel deeply still: a soundless night, a soundless forest, a soundless room after shocking news, or snow falling in a way that seems to hush everything around it. In these cases, the word does more than report a fact. It helps create a mood, which may feel calm, empty, strange, tense, or even frightening.
"Soundless" is also used for actions or reactions that happen without an audible voice or cry. A soundless scream, for example, is one that is visible in the face or body but cannot be heard. Someone may move their lips in soundless prayer, or stand in soundless grief, unable to speak. These uses are common in stories because they make emotion feel vivid and immediate.
In everyday English, "silent" is often more common, but "soundless" has a slightly more vivid and dramatic tone. It usually appears when the speaker wants to stress complete stillness or create a strong image in the reader's mind. Overall, the word suggests an absence of sound that often feels meaningful, not merely ordinary.
Examples
- 1
Late night
After midnight, the apartment building became almost soundless.
- 2
Animal movement
The fox moved through the grass on soundless feet.
- 3
Quiet action
He closed the door behind him in one soundless motion.
- 4
Silent distress
She stared at the screen, her mouth open in a soundless cry.
Phrase
soundless cry
a cry with no voice coming out
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- soundlessadjective