English

A low-key photograph of a cat.

Adjective

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

1. restrained, subtle, not trying to attract attention

   • She deserves an Oscar for her low-key performance in that movie.

2. (photography) dark, with little or no fill light and high lighting ratio.

Usage notes

While both low-key and high-key are commonly used in photography, high-key is not used in everyday usage. The term mid-key also exists in photography, but is much rarer.

Antonyms

• (photography): high-key

Coordinate terms

• (photography): mid-key