reticence
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of reticence
First recorded in 1600–10; from French réticence, from Latin reticentia, equivalent to reticent-, stem of reticēns (present participle of reticēre “to be silent”) + -ia -y 3 ( def. ); see reticent ( def. )
Explanation
Reticence is a kind of reserve, wanting to avoid communication and not wanting to offer any more information than is necessary. Reticence is a noun originating from the Latin word reticent, meaning “remaining silent.” Someone charged with a crime might be instructed by their lawyer to show reticence when being questioned by police. As a child, reticence saved you from getting in trouble when mom asked who ate all the cookies from the jar.
Vocabulary lists containing reticence
The Things They Carried
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The Kite Runner
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Unbroken
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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.
Honda's reticence in predicting any specific performance step from its engine suggests it has learnt the first lesson.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
There’s some evidence that Crockett’s reticence may be having an effect.
From Slate ● Aug. 14, 2026
Yo-yo-ing its coils, I soon understood my parents’ reticence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026
Yun Sun, director of the China program of the Washington-based Stimson Center, said China's reticence was out of character and suspected Iran may have strategically tried to emphasize Beijing's power of persuasion.
From Barron's ● Apr. 10, 2026
She had green eyes and sharp bones in her face, and hollow cheeks, and there was something brittle in her reticence that suggested strong will and a temper easily lost.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
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.
