low-key

Study(7)

UK /ˈləʊki/ US /ˈloʊˈki/

adv 3adj 2

Collocations

(adj.)

VERBS

be, seem

keep sth

She decided to keep her promotion low-key and didn't tell many people at work.

ADV

extremely, very

They decided to keep the birthday celebration extremely low-key because of the pandemic.

fairly, quite, rather, relatively

The wedding was quite low-key, with just close family and a few friends attending.

deliberately

Definitions

adj

Dark; characterized by dark tones and muted colors.

The classic example of low key photography is a black cat in a coal cellar. […] The most popular use of low-key photography is in making portraits of celebrities or theatrical personalities. These people demand either dignity or drama, and this type of lightning is appropriate for both.

Restrained, subtle, not trying to attract attention.

She deserves an Oscar for her low-key performance in that movie.

For a low-key, somewhat predictable meal, dinner at Basem's offers good value.

adv

Used as a downtoner; kind of.

I'm low key salty about the way that nigga did you but it seems like he still cares about you.

Before I open the messages, I disable the activity notification so no one will know I'm low-key obsessed with a party I didn't get to attend.

Actually; seriously.

Lowkey if you talk about any woman like this you gotta die

In a low-key or surreptitious manner; secretively; understatedly; on the down-low.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

adjective — restrained in style or quality

low-keyed
subdued

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

Example Bank

Wiktionary

She deserves an Oscar for her low-key performance in that movie.

Wiktionary

For a low-key, somewhat predictable meal, dinner at Basem's offers good value.

Wiktionary

I'm low key salty about the way that nigga did you but it seems like he still cares about you.

Wiktionary

Before I open the messages, I disable the activity notification so no one will know I'm low-key obsessed with a party I didn't get to attend.

Wiktionary

“Is this a social experiment? I’m 95 percent sure it is,” said Alex Feinstein, an accountant. “I low-key think it’s an N.Y.U. production.”

Wiktionary

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, low-key is marked as figuratively, slang, US, colloquial. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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