retiring

American  

[ri-tahyuhr-ing] / rɪˈtaɪər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. that retires.

2. withdrawing from contact with others; reserved; shy.

   Synonyms:

   timid, bashful, diffident

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retiring British  

/ rɪˈtaɪərɪŋ /

adjective

1. shunning contact with others; shy; reserved

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Other Word Forms

• nonretiring adjective
• retiringly adverb
• retiringness noun
• unretiring adjective

Etymology

Origin of retiring

First recorded in 1540–50; retire + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Lopes continued to play well, not retiring until 1987 at age 42.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Spending by retiring baby boomers could also help bolster first quarter spending trends, writes Ed Yardeni of Yardeni Research.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

“It all stems from getting his butt kicked against stronger, more physical people,” said Travis Diener, who spent parts of five seasons in the NBA before retiring to the CGL.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Also, I’m not sure where you’re reading your retiring abroad stories, but here’s a shameless plug for MarketWatch’s retirement section, where we’ve written quite a bit about living overseas in retirement.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

He lapped with delicate unhurried thoroughness, helping himself to two more before retiring to his woodpile again.

From "The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford