silence is golden

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A saying meaning that keeping quiet is often wiser or more valuable than speaking.

   Grammar: Complete sentence, usually quoted as a whole: 'silence is golden.'

   Patterns

   • silence is golden

   I wanted to argue, but silence is golden, so I said nothing.

   He gave her a look as if to say silence is golden.

   Remember, silence is golden when you are tempted to gossip.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Said to mean that peace and quiet is pleasant and worth enjoying.

   Grammar: Used after noise stops: finally, silence is golden.

   Patterns

   • silence is golden

   The kids were finally asleep, and silence was golden.

   After the loud party, silence is golden at last.

   On a long drive, silence can be golden.

Common combinations

silence is golden

Sometimes silence is golden, especially in a family argument.

silence can be golden

Silence can be golden when you have nothing kind to say.

as they say, silence is golden

As they say, silence is golden, so I held my tongue.

find silence golden

After the noisy day, I found silence golden.

Synonyms and how they differ

least said, soonest mended

This proverb focuses on avoiding more trouble in a quarrel, while silence is golden is broader.

keep mum

Keep mum is an informal instruction to stay silent, not a general saying about the value of quiet.

hold your tongue

Hold your tongue is an action of stopping yourself speaking, whereas silence is golden states a general truth.

Opposites

Word family

silent adjective

making no sound

silently adverb

without any noise

silence verb

to make quiet

golden adjective

made of or like gold, or very valuable

Commonly confused: silence is golden or speech is silver?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “silence is golden”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words