Silent or Soundless
Hello,
Is there any difference in meaning between silent and soundless in the sentences below?
- The electric motor was almost soundless/silent.
- Overhead an almost silent/soundless drone aircraft with a 4-foot wingspan transmits images of the buildings below.
Their dictionary definitions are pretty much the same ("making or having no sound or noise") but there may be subtle differences between them.
Thank you.
Top answer
As you know, "soundless" means "without sound". Of course, "Silent" also means there is no sound. However, we do NOT use "soundless" with human beings.
- As you know, "soundless" means "without sound".
- Of course, "Silent" also means there is no sound.
- However, we do NOT use "soundless" with human beings.
- So, if a child is not making any sound, we would say the child is "silent".
- With objects/machines, we use both 'silent' and 'soundless'.
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As you know, "soundless" means "without sound". Of course, "Silent" also means there is no sound. However, we do NOT use "soundless" with human beings. So, if a child is not making any sound, we would say the child is "silent". With objects/machines, we use both 'silent' and 'soundless'. But there is a difference. With a "silent" machine, it is a machine that DOES produce sound, but at this
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