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

It also said at the time it was retiring the programme's 27 aircraft, partly due to "significantly increased kerosene prices", but also because of "additional burdens from labor disputes".

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

I don’t plan on retiring until after 70.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026

As with his beloved Florida citrus, Rick Dantzler’s on the way out—age 70, retiring from the Citrus Research and Development Foundation, which, after losing its state funding, was getting absorbed by another group anyway.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

Today, the demographic of Florida’s migrants has shifted from retiring business owners to younger, wealthy financial professionals and business owners.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

Claire walked again along the river before retiring.

From "Son" by Lois Lowry