WordGarden.iosoundlessly
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /sˈaʊndləsli/
Meanings
Adverb
without making any sound
Beyond the definition
To move soundlessly is to do so without making any audible noise, like a cat crossing a soft carpet or a shadow slipping across the floor. It often suggests that nothing can be heard, whether that happens on purpose or naturally. A feather might fall soundlessly onto a rug, while a dropped hammer clearly would not.
The word is formed by combining "sound" with the suffixes "-less" and "-ly." It means more than just being quiet. It gives the idea of complete silence as something moves, falls, or appears. You might describe snow falling soundlessly, or a ghost gliding through a hall in a gothic tale.
Imagine a world where movement does not announce itself with creaks, rustles, or thuds. That is the essence of soundlessly. It describes an action that happens without any audible noise. It is stronger than quietly, which usually means there is little sound; soundlessly suggests that no sound can be heard at all.
You might see soundlessly in scenes that feel stealthy or secretive. A thief might slip soundlessly into a room, hoping to go unnoticed. A predator might move soundlessly through tall grass before it strikes. In these cases, the word helps create tension because silence matters.
But soundlessly is not limited to living creatures. It can also describe natural things: "The snow fell soundlessly on the sleeping town." It may even be used in a poetic way for feelings or ideas, as when grief seems to settle soundlessly on a person's heart.
The word often brings a feeling of mystery, grace, or something slightly eerie. A haunted house is rarely described as noisy; more often, its inhabitants are said to move soundlessly through the halls.
So, when you want to show not just a low volume, but a true absence of heard noise, soundlessly is the right choice. It paints a picture of motion or change that leaves the silence unbroken.
Examples
- 1
Quiet movement
The cat landed soundlessly on the carpet.
- 2
Appliances
The new dishwasher runs almost soundlessly.
- 3
Silent communication
She mouthed “thank you” soundlessly from across the room.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- soundlesslyadverb