noun
silencer
noun
1
A device fitted to a gun barrel to reduce the noise of firing.
"The hitman screwed a silencer onto his pistol before entering the room."
"Silencers are heavily restricted under UK firearms law."
2
A device fitted to an engine to cut down exhaust noise; a muffler.
"A hole in the silencer made the car sound like a lawnmower."
How to Use Silencer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething attached to a gun or engine that makes it quieter.
UK vs US
British English says "silencer" for a car's exhaust muffler; American English says "muffler."
Common pairings
fit a silencer
car silencer
gun silencer
Word Forms
silencers plural
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The hitman screwed a _____ onto his pistol before entering the room.
Etymology
From silence plus the agent suffix -er, meaning "something that makes quiet."