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

Lopes continued to play well, not retiring until 1987 at age 42.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Spending by retiring baby boomers could also help bolster first quarter spending trends, writes Ed Yardeni of Yardeni Research.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

“It all stems from getting his butt kicked against stronger, more physical people,” said Travis Diener, who spent parts of five seasons in the NBA before retiring to the CGL.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

The 37-year-old second row won three Six Nations championships and played in the 2019 World Cup final during a glittering 14-year England career before retiring from internationals after the 2023 tournament.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Our Arts Master was a shy retiring man called Arthur Norris who kept himself well apart from the rest of the staff.

From "Boy: Tales of a Childhood" by Roald Dahl