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low-key

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: lowkey and low key

English

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A low-key photograph of a cat.

Alternative forms

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Etymology

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    From low +‎ key.

    Pronunciation

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    Adjective

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    low-key (comparative more low-key, superlative most low-key)

    1. (art, photography) Dark; characterized by dark tones and muted colors. [from 19th c.]
      Antonym: high-key
      Coordinate term: mid-key
      • 1942 November, Victor Keppler, “Key to Good Pictures”, in Popular Photography, →ISSN, page 98:
        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.
    2. (figuratively, by extension) Restrained, subtle, not trying to attract attention. [from 20th c.]
      Antonyms: see Thesaurus:gaudy
      She deserves an Oscar for her low-key performance in that movie.
      • 1984 November 18, Patricia Brooks, “Specials Best at Low-Key Spot”, in The New York Times‎[1], →ISSN, archived from the original on 22 April 2021:
        For a low-key, somewhat predictable meal, dinner at Basem's offers good value.
      • 1997 May 19, David Handelman, “The Wizard of Grunge”, in TIME‎[2], archived from the original on 5 November 2012:
        [David Blaine's] deceptively low-key, ultracool manner leaves spectators more amazed than if he'd razzle-dazzled.
      • 2017 November 14, Phil McNulty, “England 0-0 Brazil”, in BBC Sport‎[3], archived from the original on 27 March 2018:
        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.
      • 2023 October 18, Chris Howe, “Network News: Headbolt Lane station opens on Merseyrail”, in RAIL, number 994, page 22:
        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.
      • 2025 April 11, Steve Inskeep, “One Republican tries to make sense of Trump's tariffs”, in NPR‎[4], archived from the original on 24 April 2025:
        [Senator Todd] Young is a low-key Indiana lawmaker with an enthusiasm for wonky, but important national security issues. He's a protégé of the late Sen. Richard Lugar, a low-key Indiana lawmaker who had an enthusiasm for wonky but important national security issues.

    Derived terms

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    Translations

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    Adverb

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    low-key (comparative more low-key, superlative most low-key)

    1. (chiefly Canada, US, originally African-American Vernacular, colloquial) Used as a downtoner; kind of.
      Coordinate term: high-key
      • 2015, Lady Onyxx, Started From The Top Now I'm Here 3, page 81:
        I'm low key salty about the way that nigga did you but it seems like he still cares about you.
      • 2018, Rachel Vincent, Strange New World:
        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.
      • 2023 September 25, Becky Hughes, quoting Alex Feinstein, “New York’s Hottest Steakhouse Was a Fake, Until Saturday Night”, in The New York Times‎[5], →ISSN, archived from the original on 8 November 2023:
        “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.”
    2. (colloquial, African-American Vernacular, meiosis) Actually; seriously.
      • 2025 April 2, @wenchjaime, Twitter‎[6], archived from the original on 21 January 2026:
        Lowkey if you talk about any woman like this you gotta die
    3. (slang, African-American Vernacular) In a low-key or surreptitious manner; secretively; understatedly; on the down-low.
      Synonym: furtively

    Usage notes

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    • As a downtoner, low-key is sometimes paired with another downtoner, as in I low-key kind of need help.

    See also

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    Further reading

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    Anagrams

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