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

After retiring in 2013, he joined a private Washington law practice where he handled official arbiter missions.

From Barron's

The former sports reporter, now running for retiring Democrat Tina Smith’s U.S.

From MarketWatch

In fact, I was not even considering retiring at that time, and neither of us knew much about the options.

From MarketWatch

Even though there were rumors last season of Gasca retiring, he insisted he was coming back because he loved teaching and coaching and believed that sports competition can change someone’s life for the better.

From Los Angeles Times

I retrieve Helen’s cardigan and then flop onto the retiring room sofa while the girls around me eat sandwiches and exchange glances over my prone body.

From Literature