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

Derived Forms

• nonretiring
  adjective
• unretiring
  adjective
• retiringness
  noun
• retiringly
  adverb

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

Chase Herrell, Ben Cushnie and Andrew Johnson gave up just one run over six innings, with Johnson retiring the first eight batters he faced.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

After retiring from soccer he became a successful journalist, even writing a biography of U2.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

So how did this seemingly quiet, retiring child and self-effacing bureaucrat turn into a president who so avidly embraced the limelight?

From BBC • May 30, 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

The idea of retiring him and taking him home to Ridgewood began playing in his mind.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand