low-key
/ˌloʊˈki/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.91 in modern English
16
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Restrained, subtle, not trying to attract attention.
Example Sentences
- "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."
- "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."
- "[David Blaine's] deceptively low-key, ultracool manner leaves spectators more amazed than if he'd razzle-dazzled."
- "From the Samba band and colourfully-clad dancers that made a lap of Wembley before kick-off - even prompting some neat moves from one or two Brazilian journalists - to the roars of delight every time Neymar got on the ball, it was still a night that contained entertainment despite the increasingly low-key fare on the pitch."
- "The relatively low-key opening was attended by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, who declared "We have a brand-new station serviced with brand-new lines and new publicly owned trains."
Etymology
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˌloʊˈki/
- British English: /ˌləʊˈkiː/
Usage
- Colloquial
- Canadian usage
- American usage
Inflected Forms
more low-key (comparative)
most low-key (superlative)
lowkey (alternative)
low key (alternative)
lowk (alternative)
LWK (alternative)