Hush: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in secretive situations to prevent information from being spread, often with a sense of urgency or importance.

• We need to hush this up before anyone finds out.
• The news was hushed quickly to avoid panic.

Refers to complete absence of sound, often used in more serious or dramatic contexts.

• The teacher asked for silence before starting the test.
• There was an eerie silence after the announcement.

Used to describe a general state of low noise or calm, often in settings like libraries, homes, or tranquil environments.

• This park is very quiet and peaceful.
• Please keep quiet in the reading room.

Informally tells someone to stop making noise immediately, often used between friends or in casual settings. It can have a slightly impatient tone.

• Shush, you're too loud!
• He shushed her during the movie.

When referring to a general state of quiet or calm.

• The hush of the library made it easy to concentrate
• | A sudden hush fell over the room

Refers to the complete absence of noise. It can be used both as a noun and a verb in formal contexts. It can also have serious or dramatic connotations.

• The silence in the room was deafening
• | Please silence your cell phones before the performance begins
• | The forest was wrapped in an eerie silence

The state of being quiet, often used to describe an environment where there is little to no noise. More formal and descriptive.

• The quietness of the rural countryside was a welcome change
• | She enjoyed the quietness of the early morning hours

An informal way to demand silence, often used in a quick or mildly impatient manner. Can have a slightly negative tone.

• Shush! I'm trying to hear what they're saying
• | The teacher shushed the noisy classroom