taciturn

[tas-i-turn]

adjective

1. inclined to silence; reserved in speech; reluctant to join in conversation.

   Synonyms: quiet, reticent, uncommunicative, silent

2. dour, stern, and silent in expression and manner.

taciturn

/ ˈtæsɪˌtɜːn /

adjective

1. habitually silent, reserved, or uncommunicative; not inclined to conversation

Other Word Forms

• taciturnly adverb
• untaciturn adjective
• untaciturnly adverb
• taciturnity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of taciturn¹

First recorded in 1765–75; from Latin taciturnus, “quiet, maintaining silence,” equivalent to tacit(us) “silent” ( tacit ) + -urnus adjective suffix of time

Word History and Origins

Origin of taciturn¹

C18: from Latin taciturnus, from tacitus silent, from tacēre to be silent

Example Sentences

The performance is taciturn and nonverbal; he’s got a mouthpiece in Will Patton’s folksy narration, but what Edgerton is doing is worth leaning in for, complex and fascinating.

From Los Angeles Times

Curry was extraordinarily good on the pitch and spectacularly taciturn in the aftermath.

From BBC

The case unexpectedly connects two other traumatic incidents that have happened in the mountainous wilds — at least one of which directly involves the taciturn Kyle, grieving the death of his young son.

From Los Angeles Times

Anyone who likes this kind of pulp knows these avenging angel characters are more or less the same: intense, taciturn, minimalist.

From Los Angeles Times

Later that day, the couples go out for a rather awkward dinner, where the men are taciturn and grumpy and the women gab away.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aloof 
• dour 
• laconic 
• reticent