Low-key

[loh-kee] /ˈloʊˈki/

adjective, Also, low-keyed
1.
of reduced intensity; restrained; understated.
2.
(of a photograph) having chiefly dark tones, usually with little tonal contrast (distinguished from ).
verb (used with object), low-keyed, low-keying.
3.
to make or attempt to make low-key:
to low-key the arms buildup.
adjective
1.
having a low intensity or tone
2.
restrained, subdued, or understated
3.
(of a photograph, painting, etc) having a predominance of dark grey tones or dark colours with few highlights Compare high-key

adjective

Quiet; modest; unassertive: She is low-key but is happy to talk about things that Wayans doesn’t do for himself (1965+)

verb

To treat with little emphasis; play down: They were low-keying it because of the controversy (1960+)

[in adjective sense, a technical term in photography, ”with tones lying in the gray scale,” found by 1907]

Read Also:

Lowl
language The abstract machine for bootstrapping ML/1, developed by P.J. Brown of the University of Kent at Canterbury. [“Macro Processors and Techniques for Portable Software”, P.J. Brown, published by Wiley, ISBN 0.471.11005.1]. [Mentioned in “Machine Oriented Higher Level Languages”, W. van der Poel, N-H 1974, p. 271]. [What does LOWL stand for?] (1997-11-04)
Lowland
[loh-luh nd] /ˈloʊ lənd/ noun 1. that is or level, in comparison with the adjacent country. 2. the Lowlands, a , level region in S, central, and E Scotland. 3. Lowlands, the speech of those native to the Scottish Lowlands. adjective 4. of, relating to, or characteristic of a lowland or lowlands. 5. (initial capital […]
Lowlander
[loh-luh n-der, -lan-] /ˈloʊ lən dər, -ˌlæn-/ noun 1. a native of the . 2. (lowercase) an inhabitant of a or .

Lowland-fir
noun 1. . noun 1. a large fir, Abies grandis, of the western coast of North America, having a narrow, pointed crown and yielding a soft wood used for lumber, pulp, and boxes.
Lowland-gorilla
noun 1. the eastern lowland gorilla or western lowland gorilla. See under .