reticent

[ret-uh-suhnt]

adjective

1. disposed to be silent or not to speak freely; reserved.

   Synonyms: uncommunicative, quiet, taciturn
   Antonyms: voluble, talkative

2. reluctant or restrained.

reticent

/ ˈrɛtɪsənt /

adjective

1. not open or communicative; not saying all that one knows; taciturn; reserved

Other Word Forms

• reticence noun
• reticency noun
• reticently adverb
• nonreticent adjective
• nonreticently adverb
• unreticent adjective
• unreticently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of reticent¹

First recorded in 1825–35; from Latin reticent- (stem of reticēns ), present participle of reticēre “to be silent,” equivalent to re- “again, back” + -tic-, combining form of tacēre “to be silent” ( tacit ) + -ent- adjective suffix; re-, -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of reticent¹

C19: from Latin reticēre to keep silent, from _re- + tacēre to be silent

Example Sentences

Fleischaker said it would be difficult to increase deportations, even with Border Patrol leaders at the helm, because of the complexities around securing travel documents and negotiating with countries that are reticent to accept deportees.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Betting on perfection is a dangerous place to be in so we’ve been reticent to pile on to the momentum trades.”

Read more on Barron's

Meanwhile, the reticent Teller serves as the perfect foil.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It became clear within moments that Shyamalan’s concept would win the day, though Sparks is reticent to say why, except that “mine was pretty dark.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It’s not as though Anderson has been exactly reticent to live in the moment.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• bashful 
• hesitant 
• mum 
• reserved 
• restrained 
• shy 
• silent 
• taciturn