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low key

low key
L l

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [loh kee]
    • /loʊ ki/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [loh kee]
    • /loʊ ki/

Definitions of low key words

  • adjective low key of reduced intensity; restrained; understated. 1
  • adjective low key (of a photograph) having chiefly dark tones, usually with little tonal contrast (distinguished from high-key). 1
  • verb with object low key to make or attempt to make low-key: to low-key the arms buildup. 1
  • adjective low key light, colour: subtle, subdued 1
  • adjective low key not ostentatious 1

Information block about the term

Origin of low key

First appearance:

before 1890
One of the 20% newest English words
First recorded in 1890-95

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Low key

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

low key popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 48% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data about 61% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

low key usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for low key

adj low key

  • easygoing — going easily, as a horse.
  • relaxed — being free of or relieved from tension or anxiety: in a relaxed mood.
  • quiet — making no noise or sound, especially no disturbing sound: quiet neighbors.
  • laid-back — relaxed or unhurried: laid-back music rhythms.
  • sober — not intoxicated or drunk.

noun low key

  • reluctance — unwillingness; disinclination: reluctance to speak in public.
  • reticence — the state of being reticent, or reserved, especially with regard to speaking freely; restraint: His natural reticence seemed to disappear under the influence of alcohol.
  • secrecy — the state or condition of being secret, hidden, or concealed: a meeting held in secrecy.
  • latency — the state of being latent.
  • inconspicuous — not conspicuous, noticeable, or prominent.

Antonyms for low key

adj low key

  • agitated — If someone is agitated, they are very worried or upset, and show this in their behaviour, movements, or voice.
  • noisy — abounding in or full of noise: a noisy assembly hall.
  • high-strung — at great tension; highly excitable or nervous; edgy: high-strung nerves; a high-strung person.
  • nervous — highly excitable; unnaturally or acutely uneasy or apprehensive: to become nervous under stress.
  • pumped up — an apparatus or machine for raising, driving, exhausting, or compressing fluids or gases by means of a piston, plunger, or set of rotating vanes.

See also

Matching words

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