What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wordless
Example
The two friends sat in wordless silence, enjoying each other's company. [wordless: adjective]
Example
The ballet performance was stunningly beautiful and completely wordless. [wordless: adjective]
silent
Example
The library was silent except for the sound of pages turning. [silent: adjective]
Example
She remained silent during the entire meeting, listening intently to the discussion. [silent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Silent is more commonly used than wordless in everyday language. Silent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wordless is less common and may be considered more informal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wordless and silent?
While silent is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, wordless is less common and may be considered more informal.