low-key

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low-key

/ˌləʊˈkiː/ UK
/ˌləʊkiː/ UK
/ˌləʊˌkiː/ UK
/ˌloʊˈki/ US
/ˌloʊki/ US
/ˌloʊˌki/ US

Sounds like Loki (sometimes) · Rhymes with -əʊki

Where it comes from

From low + key.

adjective more low-key · most low-key · lowkey · low key · lowk · LWK

Dark; characterized by dark tones and muted colors. 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.
Opposite: high-key
broadly, figuratively Restrained, subtle, not trying to attract attention. She deserves an Oscar for her low-key performance in that movie.
Opposite: bedizened, blatant, blingish, brash, campy, catchpenny, chichi, chintzy, corny, crass, crude, flashy

adverb more low-key · most low-key · lowkey · low key · lowk · LWK

colloquial In a low-key or surreptitious manner; secretively; understatedly; on the down-low.
Similar: furtively
Canada, US, colloquial Used as a downtoner; kind of. I'm low key salty about the way that nigga did you but it seems like he still cares about you.
colloquial Actually; seriously. Lowkey if you talk about any woman like this you gotta die

Translations

Every language

adj characterised by dark tones and muted colours

Deutsch	gedämpft

adj restrained, subtle

中文	低調 /低调 dīdiào, 克制 kèzhì
Deutsch	maßvoll, zurückhaltend

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MLA

"low-key." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/low-key. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

low-key. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/low-key

Chicago

"low-key." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/low-key.

BibTeX

@misc{low_key_2026,
  title = {low-key},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/low-key},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}