What does hushed mean?
Hushed is chiefly an adjective describing a strikingly quiet atmosphere, voice, or group, often because people have deliberately stopped speaking or because something solemn has drawn their attention. It can also suggest unease or suspense: a hushed crowd may be listening intently, not merely making little noise. As a verb, hushed is the past tense and past participle of hush and can be transitive, as in “she hushed the children,” or intransitive, as in “the room hushed.” The word is common in journalism, narration, literary description, and formal speech, while it is also natural in everyday conversation. Its force comes from combining physical quiet with emotional control, restraint, or anticipation. Unlike simply silent, hushed often implies that quietness has been produced or deliberately maintained. For that reason, it is useful in descriptions of ceremonies, dramatic scenes, tense gatherings, and moments when a normally lively place suddenly falls silent.
Quiet or still, especially because speech or activity has been deliberately suppressed.
"The audience listened in hushed confusion as the result was announced."
Often implies restraint, solemnity, tension, or anticipation.
To cause a person, place, or activity to become quiet, or to fall silent oneself.
"The principal hushed the corridor and called for order."
Can be used transitively, as in “hushed the crowd,” or intransitively, as in “the noise gradually hushed.”
“Hushed” captures not merely an absence of noise, but silence deliberately drawn into a room.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hushed come from?
Hushed is an English past-tense and past-participle form of hush, with an established adjectival use meaning “quietened” or “subdued.” Hush is attested in English by the early modern period, although its ultimate source is uncertain; it is often understood as an echoic or imitative formation rather than a word with a securely identified classical origin. The same verbal family also produced forms such as hushaby and husher.
Related word forms
How hushed is actually used
Hushed is common in journalism, narration, literary description, and formal speech, but it also occurs naturally in everyday conversation. Its adjective use often carries connotations of restraint, solemnity, tension, or anticipation rather than simply low volume.