Active vs. Quiet — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 21, 2024
Active refers to engaging in activities and movement, while quiet denotes a state of minimal noise and activity, emphasizing calmness and stillness.
Difference Between Active and Quiet
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Active describes a state of being engaged in physical or mental activities. It implies movement, energy, and involvement. People who are active often participate in sports, exercise, and various events, showcasing a dynamic lifestyle. Quiet, on the other hand, refers to a state of calm and minimal noise. It emphasizes tranquility and stillness. A quiet environment is peaceful and free from loud disturbances, often sought after for relaxation or concentration.
Active individuals are characterized by their involvement in numerous activities, displaying high energy levels and enthusiasm. They are constantly on the move, seeking out new experiences and challenges to keep themselves engaged and productive. Whereas quiet individuals prefer calm and serene environments, valuing peace and introspection. They are often seen enjoying solitary activities like reading, meditation, or simply spending time in nature, appreciating the absence of noise and hustle.
Active lifestyles can contribute to physical fitness and social engagement, promoting overall health and well-being. Engaging in active pursuits can lead to improved mood, better cardiovascular health, and a stronger sense of community. In contrast, quiet lifestyles foster mental clarity and emotional balance. Quiet times are essential for reflection, reducing stress, and enhancing focus. A quiet atmosphere can be conducive to creative thinking and problem-solving, providing a sanctuary from the chaos of daily life.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Engaging in activities and movement
Minimal noise and activity
Energy Level
High, dynamic
Low, calm
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Common Activities
Sports, exercise, social events
Reading, meditation, nature walks
Impact on Health
Physical fitness, social engagement
Mental clarity, stress reduction
Preferred Environment
Lively, bustling
Calm, peaceful
Compare with Definitions
Active
Engaged in physical movement.
She leads an active lifestyle, jogging every morning.
Quiet
Calm and peaceful.
He enjoys the quiet mornings by the lake.
Active
Currently in use or functioning.
The active volcano poses a threat to nearby villages.
Quiet
Reserved in speech or manner.
She was a quiet student who rarely spoke in class.
Active
Engaging or ready to engage in physically energetic pursuits
Although he was seventy he was still robust and active
Quiet
Not showing strong emotions or opinions.
He is a quiet person, keeping his thoughts to himself.
Active
Pursuing an occupation or activity at a particular place or in a particular way
Sexually active teenagers
A politically active student body
Tigers are active mainly at night
The artist was active in the 1920s
Quiet
Making little or no noise
I was as quiet as I could be, but he knew I was there
The car has a quiet, economical engine
Active
(of a thing) working; operative
The old watermill was active until 1960
Quiet
Carried out discreetly, secretly, or with moderation
We wanted a quiet wedding
I'll have a quiet word with him
Active
Denoting a voice of verbs in which the subject is typically the person or thing performing the action and which can take a direct object (e.g. she loved him as opposed to the passive form he was loved).
Quiet
Absence of noise or bustle; silence; calm
The ringing of the telephone shattered the early morning quiet
Active
An active form of a verb.
Quiet
Make or become silent, calm, or still
The journalists quieted down as Judy stepped on to the dais
There are ways of quieting kids down
Active
Being in physical motion
Active fish in the aquarium.
Quiet
Making or characterized by little or no noise
A quiet library.
A quiet street.
A quiet, well tuned engine.
Active
Functioning or capable of functioning.
Quiet
Free of turmoil and agitation; calm
A quiet lake.
A quiet place in the country.
Active
Marked by energetic activity; busy
Active stock and bond markets.
Spent an active day sightseeing.
Quiet
Providing or allowing relaxation; restful; soothing
A quiet afternoon nap.
A quiet tune on the flute.
Active
Involving or requiring physical exertion and energy
An active workout at the gym.
Quiet
Not showy or bright; subdued
A room decorated in quiet colors.
Active
Being in a state of action; not quiescent
Active hostilities along the border.
Quiet
Restrained, as in style; understated
A quiet strength.
A quiet life.
Active
Erupting or liable to erupt; not dormant
An active volcano.
Quiet
Out of public scrutiny; known or discussed by few
Wanted to keep the incident quiet until after the election.
Active
Marked by or involving direct participation
Took an active interest in politics.
Played an active role on the committee.
Quiet
The quality or condition of being quiet
"A menacing quiet fills the empty streets" (Time).
Active
Currently in use or effect
An active membership.
Quiet
To cause to become quiet
The teacher quieted the students.
Active
Openly acknowledged or expressed
An active dislike of the new neighbors.
Quiet
To make (a title) secure by freeing from uncertainties or adverse claims as to the ownership.
Active
Producing an intended action or effect
Active ingredients.
Quiet
To become quiet
The child wouldn't quiet down for me.
Active
Indicating that the grammatical subject of a verb is performing or causing the action expressed. Used of a verb form or voice.
Quiet
With little or no sound; free of disturbing noise.
I can't hear the music; it is too quiet.
Active
Expressing action rather than a state of being. Used of verbs such as run, speak, and move.
Quiet
Having little motion or activity; calm.
The sea was quiet
A quiet night at home
All quiet on the Western front
Active
Of or relating to the management of an investment portfolio by continually making investment decisions based on new information as opposed to maintaining a predetermined strategy or reproducing the returns of a market or index.
Quiet
Not busy, of low quantity.
The traffic was quiet for a Monday morning.
Business was quiet for the season.
Active
Being a source of electrical energy, as a generator.
Quiet
Not talking much or not talking loudly; reserved.
He's a very quiet man usually, but is very chatty after a few beers.
Active
Capable of converting or amplifying voltages or currents, as a diode or transistor.
Quiet
Not showy; undemonstrative.
A quiet dress
Quiet colours
A quiet movement
Active
Being on full military duty and receiving full pay.
Quiet
(software) Requiring little or no interaction.
A quiet install
Active
The active voice.
Quiet
(transitive) To cause (someone or something) to become quiet.
Can you quiet your child? He’s making lots of noise.
The umpire quieted the crowd so the game could continue in peace.
Active
A construction or form in the active voice.
Quiet
(intransitive) To become quiet or calm.
When you quiet, we can start talking.
Active
A participating member of an organization
Union actives.
Quiet
The absence of sound; quietness.
There was a strange quiet in the normally very lively plaza.
We need a bit of quiet before we can start the show.
Active
Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting;—opposed to passive, that receives.
Certain active principles
The active powers of the mind
Quiet
The absence of movement; stillness, tranquility.
Active
Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble.
An active child or animal
Quiet
The absence of disturbance or trouble; peace, security.
Active
In action; actually proceeding; working; in force
Active laws
Active hostilities
Quiet
Be quiet.
Quiet! The children are sleeping.
Active
Emitting hot materials, such as lava, smoke, or steam, or producing tremors.
Quiet
In a state of rest or calm; without stir, motion, or agitation; still; as, a quiet sea; quiet air.
They . . . were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.
Active
Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy
An active man of business
Active mind
Active zeal
Quiet
Free from noise or disturbance; hushed; still.
Active
Requiring or implying action or exertion
Active employment or service
Active scenes
Quiet
Not excited or anxious; calm; peaceful; placid; settled; as, a quiet life; a quiet conscience.
That son, who on the quiet state of manSuch trouble brought.
Active
Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative
An active rather than a speculative statesman
Quiet
Not giving offense; not exciting disorder or trouble; not turbulent; gentle; mild; meek; contented.
The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.
I will sit as quiet as a lamb.
Active
Brisk; lively.
An active demand for corn
Quiet
Not showy; not such as to attract attention; undemonstrative; as, a quiet dress; quiet colors; a quiet movement.
Active
Implying or producing rapid action.
An active disease
An active remedy
Quiet
The quality or state of being quiet, or in repose; as an hour or a time of quiet.
Active
About verbs.
Quiet
Freedom from disturbance, noise, or alarm; stillness; tranquillity; peace; security.
And join with thee, calm Peace and Quiet.
Active
Applied to a form of the verb; — opposed to passive. See active voice.
Quiet
To stop motion in; to still; to reduce to a state of rest, or of silence.
Active
Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts upon or affects something else; transitive.
Quiet
To calm; to appease; to pacify; to lull; to allay; to tranquillize; as, to quiet the passions; to quiet clamors or disorders; to quiet pain or grief.
Quiet yourselves, I pray, and be at peace.
Active
Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct from mere existence or state.
Quiet
To become still, silent, or calm; - often with down; as, be soon quieted down.
Active
Eligible to be processed by a compiler or interpreter.
Quiet
A period of calm weather;
There was a lull in the storm
Active
(electronics) Not passive.
Quiet
An untroubled state; free from disturbances
Active
(gay sexual slang) of a homosexual man enjoying a role in anal sex in which he penetrates, rather than being penetrated by his partner.
Quiet
The absence of sound;
He needed silence in order to sleep
The street was quiet
Active
A person or thing that is acting or capable of acting.
Quiet
A disposition free from stress or emotion
Active
(electronics) Any component that is not passive. See Passivity (engineering).
Quiet
Become quiet or quieter;
The audience fell silent when the speaker entered
Active
Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting; - opposed to passive, that receives; as, certain active principles; the powers of the mind.
Quiet
Make calm or still;
Quiet the dragons of worry and fear
Active
Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble; as, an active child or animal.
Active and nervous was his gait.
Quiet
Characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity;
A quiet life
A quiet throng of onlookers
Quiet peace-loving people
The factions remained quiet for almost 10 years
Active
In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; - opposed to quiescent, dormant, or extinct; as, active laws; active hostilities; an active volcano.
Quiet
Free of noise or uproar; or making little if any sound;
A quiet audience at the concert
The room was dark and quiet
Active
Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy; - opposed to dull, sluggish, indolent, or inert; as, an active man of business; active mind; active zeal.
Quiet
Not showy or obtrusive;
Clothes in quiet good taste
Active
Requiring or implying action or exertion; - opposed to sedentary or to tranquil; as, active employment or service; active scenes.
Quiet
In a softened tone;
Hushed voices
Muted trumpets
A subdued whisper
A quiet reprimand
Active
Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative; - opposed to speculative or theoretical; as, an active rather than a speculative statesman.
Quiet
Without untoward incident or disruption;
A placid existence
Quiet times
Active
Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn.
Quiet
Free from disturbance;
A ribbon of sand between the angry sea and the placid bay
The quiet waters of a lagoon
A lake of tranquil blue water reflecting a tranquil blue sky
A smooth channel crossing
Scarcely a ripple on the still water
Unruffled water
Active
Implying or producing rapid action; as, an active disease; an active remedy.
Quiet
Of the sun; characterized by a low level of surface phenomena like sun spots e.g.
Active
Applied to a form of the verb; - opposed to passive. See Active voice, under Voice.
Quiet
With little or no activity or no agitation (`quiet' is a nonstandard variant for `quietly');
Her hands rested quietly in her lap
The rock star was quietly led out the back door
Sit here as quiet as you can
Active
Chemical agent capable of activity
Quiet
Making little or no noise.
The library is a quiet place for studying.
Active
The voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is performing the action or causing the happening denoted by the verb;
`The boy threw the ball' uses the active voice
Quiet
Lacking activity or bustle.
The town is quiet after the festival ends.
Active
A person devoted to the active life
Active
Tending to become more severe or wider in scope;
Active tuberculosis
Active
Engaged in or ready for military or naval operations;
On active duty
The platoon is combat-ready
Review the fighting forces
Active
Disposed to take action or effectuate change;
A director who takes an active interest in corporate operations
An active antagonism
He was active in drawing attention to their grievances
Active
Taking part in an activity;
An active member of the club
He was politically active
The participating organizations
Active
Characterized by energetic activity;
An active toddler
Active as a gazelle
An active man is a man of action
Active
Exerting influence or producing an effect;
An active ingredient
Active
Full of activity or engaged in continuous activity;
An active seaport
An active bond market
An active account
Active
In operation;
Keep hope alive
The tradition was still alive
An active tradition
Active
Of the sun; characterized by a high level activity in sunspots and flares and radio emissions
Active
Expressing that the subject of the sentence has the semantic function of actor:
Hemingway favors active constructions
Active
Expressing action rather than a state of being; used of verbs (e.g. `to run') and participial adjectives (e.g. `running' in `running water')
Active
(of e.g. volcanos) erupting or liable to erupt;
Active volcanos
An extinct volcano
Active
Producing activity or change
Active
Engaged in full-time work;
Active duty
Though past retirement age he is still active in his profession
Active
Being in physical motion;
Active fish in the aquarium
Active
Characterized by energetic bodily activity;
Tennis is an active sport
A very physical dance performance
Active
Involved in various activities or tasks.
He remains active in community service projects.
Active
Displaying energetic and lively behavior.
The children are very active during recess.
Active
Participating or taking part in something.
She is an active member of the book club.
Common Curiosities
Is being active always related to physical movement?
No, being active can also refer to mental or social engagement.
Can a person be both active and quiet?
Yes, a person can be physically active while enjoying quiet moments.
Does active imply outgoing personality?
Often, but not necessarily; one can be active in various ways without being outgoing.
What does active mean?
Active refers to engaging in physical or mental activities.
Can an active person enjoy quiet activities?
Yes, active people can also appreciate the calmness of quiet activities.
Can environments be both active and quiet?
Typically, environments are categorized as one or the other, but certain places can transition between the two.
Is quiet always a positive trait?
Quiet can be positive for tranquility but may be perceived as negative in social contexts.
What does quiet mean?
Quiet denotes a state of minimal noise and activity.
Does quiet mean a lack of energy?
No, quiet refers to noise levels and activity, not necessarily energy levels.
How does being active benefit health?
Physical activity improves cardiovascular health, strength, and mental well-being.
Are there quiet sports?
Yes, sports like yoga and golf can be considered quiet due to their serene nature.
Is it better to be active or quiet?
Balance is key; both active and quiet moments contribute to a well-rounded lifestyle.
Is quiet the same as shy?
No, quiet refers to noise levels, whereas shy describes a reserved personality.
How does being quiet benefit health?
Quiet environments reduce stress, enhance focus, and promote mental clarity.
Can workplaces be both active and quiet?
Workplaces often have active and quiet areas to balance productivity and relaxation.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
