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Synonyms

reserved

American  
[ri-zurvd] / rɪˈzɜrvd /

adjective

  1. kept or set apart for some particular use or purpose.

  2. kept by special arrangement for some person.

    a reserved seat.

  3. formal or self-restrained in manner and relationship; avoiding familiarity or intimacy with others.

    a quiet, reserved man.

    Synonyms:
    composed, cold, distant, withdrawn, taciturn, constrained, reticent, controlled
  4. characterized by reserve, as the disposition, manner, etc..

    reserved comments.

    Synonyms:
    composed, cold, distant, withdrawn, taciturn, constrained, reticent, controlled
  5. retaining the original color of a surface, especially when decorating portions of the surface with other colors.


reserved British  
/ rɪˈzɜːvd, rɪˈzɜːvɪdlɪ /

adjective

  1. set aside for use by a particular person or people

    this table is reserved

  2. cool or formal in manner; restrained, silent, or reticent

  3. destined; fated

    reserved for great things

  4. referring to matters that are the responsibility of the national parliament rather than a devolved regional assembly

    defence is a reserved issue

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • overreserved adjective
  • overreservedly adverb
  • overreservedness noun
  • reservedly adverb
  • reservedness noun

Etymology

Origin of reserved

A late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; reserve, -ed 2

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.

Under Myanmar's current constitution, 25 percent of parliamentary seats are reserved for the armed forces.

From Barron's

A military-drafted constitution still gave him a central role in politics, though, with a quarter of parliamentary seats and essential cabinet positions reserved for his officers.

From Barron's

They learn technology adoption, gain client exposure, and observe business dealings typically reserved for more senior employees, while developing both technical and leadership capabilities across multiple business areas.

From The Wall Street Journal

But to tell you, I'm the type of guy who is very reserved and very private.

From BBC

Tickets were hard to come by and reserved for “those building, funding, and researching the technologies that define intelligence.”

From The Wall Street Journal