indoor voice
Library-appropriate volume
A quiet, controlled speaking volume appropriate for enclosed spaces.
The phrase belongs almost exclusively to instructions from adults to children: Use your indoor voice, please.
The implied contrast is with an outdoor voice—the louder volume acceptable in open spaces where sound dissipates.
Speaking quietly, gently
modulated · controlled · restrained · conversational · murmur · measured · tempered · understated
Command for silence
- hushAbsence of sound
- reminderMemory aid
- correctionFixing of mistakes
- politeShowing good manners
respectful · appropriate · mannerly · well-behaved · considerate · mindful · self-control · etiquette
Speech without full voice
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- discreetCareful to avoid notice
- conspiratorialSuggesting secret plotting
sotto voce · furtive · gossip · secret · covert · hush-hush · between us · confidences
soft-spoken
Speaking quietly, gently
subdued · modulated · controlled · restrained · conversational · murmur · measured · tempered · understated · gentle
shush
Command for silence
- hushAbsence of sound
- reminderMemory aid
- correctionFixing of mistakes
polite · respectful · appropriate · mannerly · well-behaved · considerate · mindful · self-control · etiquette · courtesy
whisper
Speech without full voice
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- discreetCareful to avoid notice
conspiratorial · sotto voce · furtive · gossip · secret · covert · hush-hush · between us · confidences
library
Book collection or building
- classroomEducational instruction space
- churchPlace of Christian worship
- hospitalMedical treatment facility
museum · theater · office · waiting room · bedroom · nursery · funeral · ceremony · lecture hall · gallery
- whisperswhisper, whispering, hushed tone, murmurs, murmur
- hush commandsshh, shhh, ssh, hush up, be silent
- mannersetiquette, manners, polite, rude, politeness
- etiquettemanners, politeness, etiquette, table manners, courtesy
- momismsI told you so, no means no, back in my day, clean your room, do your homework
- volumecubic meters, bulk, cubic feet, quantity, cubic inches
voice, door, voices, indoors, voiced, indoor, voicing, vociferous, unvoiced