tight-lipped
Americanadjective
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speaking very little; taciturn; close-mouthed.
-
having the lips drawn tight.
adjective
-
reticent, secretive, or taciturn
-
with the lips pressed tightly together, as through anger
Etymology
Origin of tight-lipped
First recorded in 1875–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
New Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh’s tight-lipped approach to the economy and policy faces its first major test at this week’s meeting.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Sink has been all-in on the “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” press tour, managing to keep tight-lipped about her role.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
Investors will be watching for any clues from ECB President Christine Lagarde in her post rate-call press conference about the path ahead for rates, although she is typically tight-lipped.
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
Apple has been tight-lipped about the details of the update and its partnership with Google.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 6, 2026
He’d been pretty tight-lipped about Gideon ever since.
From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
