SUBDUED

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does subdued mean? 

• SUBDUED (adjective)
  The adjective SUBDUED has 5 senses:

1. in a softened tone

2. restrained in style or quality

3. quieted and brought under control

4. not brilliant or glaring

5. lacking in light; not bright or harsh

  Familiarity information: SUBDUED used as an adjective is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SUBDUED (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a softened tone

Synonyms:

hushed; muted; quiet; subdued

Context example:

a quiet reprimand

Similar:

soft ((of sound) relatively low in volume)

Derivation:

subduedness (the property of lights or sounds that lack brilliance or are reduced in intensity)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Restrained in style or quality

Synonyms:

low-key; low-keyed; subdued

Context example:

a little masterpiece of low-keyed eloquence

Similar:

restrained (under restraint)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Quieted and brought under control

Context example:

children were subdued and silent

Similar:

tame (very restrained or quiet)

Derivation:

subduedness (a disposition to be patient and long suffering)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Not brilliant or glaring

Synonyms:

soft; subdued

Context example:

subdued lighting

Similar:

dull (emitting or reflecting very little light)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Lacking in light; not bright or harsh

Synonyms:

dim; subdued

Context example:

subdued lights and soft music

Similar:

dark (devoid of or deficient in light or brightness; shadowed or black)

Derivation:

subduedness (the property of lights or sounds that lack brilliance or are reduced in intensity)

 Context examples 

As they had spoken in a subdued tone, while speaking of Em'ly, I had no doubt that she was near.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Barclay’s remarks were subdued and abrupt, so that none of them were audible to the listeners.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the great city.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He said this, in his peculiar, subdued, yet emphatic voice; looking, when he had ceased speaking, not at me, but at the setting sun, at which I looked too.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

The delightful emotions were a little subdued, when on stepping back from the group, to be joined again by Captain Wentworth, she saw that he was gone.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

They elevated me from all littleness of feeling, and although they did not remove my grief, they subdued and tranquillised it.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Her flattery had already subdued the pride of Lady Middleton, and made an entry into the close heart of Mrs. John Dashwood; and these were effects that laid open the probability of greater.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Her arm was pressed again, as he added, in a more broken and subdued accent, “The feelings of the warmest friendship—Indignation—Abominable scoundrel!”

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

My father was waiting for us at the door with an expression of subdued delight upon his face.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Catherine was distressed, but not subdued.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)