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

Explanation

If you are a retiring person, you avoid being at the center of attention. You can often be found in the library and other quiet places, and if someone compliments you, you're likely to blush and change the subject. If you call someone retiring, it isn't necessarily clear whether you mean it as a compliment or something closer to a put-down. Usually, the word is used to describe someone who is shy or modest to a fault. But it can also be used to suggest that someone isn't arrogant, which is usually a good thing. And, of course, retiring can also refer to someone who stepped down from their last job and doesn't intend to work anymore.

Example Sentences

Speaking to BBC News NI, she admitted that retiring after so many years felt quite strange, but said she had absolutely loved every minute of her time in the shop.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

“Plan on retiring at 62, but keep working as long as you can. No one ever says, ‘I have too much money.’

From MarketWatch • May 29, 2026

Likewise, with more baby boomers retiring and immigration falling, the younger workforce is set to shrink, helping to keep the labor market tighter than in the past.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

By retiring, he makes himself eligible for the City Section Hall of Fame, which will announce its class of 2027 inductees next year.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

Helen asks, watching me circle the perimeter of the retiring room again.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse