taciturn

[ tas-i-turn ]

See synonyms for taciturn on Thesaurus.com

adjective

inclined to silence; reserved in speech; reluctant to join in conversation.
dour, stern, and silent in expression and manner.

Origin of taciturn

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

Other words for taciturn

1	silent, uncommunicative, reticent, quiet

See synonyms for taciturn on Thesaurus.com

Other words from taciturn

tac·i·turn·ly, adverb
un·tac·i·turn, adjective
un·tac·i·turn·ly, adverb

Words Nearby taciturn

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use taciturn in a sentence

Justin, as I would soon learn, is a large and taciturn man, but he was eager to talk, and urged me to come to New Mexico to learn more about what Kooper and his friends had been through.
The Lost Year: What the Pandemic Cost Teenagers | by Alec MacGillis, photography by Celeste Sloman | March 8, 2021 | ProPublica
Her father, a lumber company owner, was taciturn and remote, she recalled in her self-titled memoir.
Cloris Leachman, Oscar-winning actress who played Frau Blücher (neighhh!) in ‘Young Frankenstein,’ dies at 94 | Adam Bernstein | January 27, 2021 | Washington Post
His is a particularly taciturn manifestation of masculinity.
Nigeria’s Larger-Than-Life Nobel Laureate Chronicles a Fascinating Life | Chimamanda Adichie | August 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
No one would confuse him the taciturn, forgetful and vengeful Senate Majority Leader.
Nevada Guv Faces Fans and Foes in Reelection | Lloyd Green | March 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Tall and taciturn, he exuded the easy authority of a young man used to money and the deference that came with it.
Doug Kenney: The Odd Comic Genius Behind ‘Animal House’ and National Lampoon | Robert Sam Anson | March 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

The exuberant, indefatigable Democrat from Oregon and the dour, taciturn Republican from New Hampshire made an odd couple.
The Senate’s New Taxman Won’t Be Controlled By His Own Party | Linda Killian | February 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The usually taciturn Zakhilwal spoke spiritedly and aggressively for the first hour of his impeachment.
Afghanistan’s Cycle of Corruption | Mujib Mashal | May 16, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
While the latter was remarkably eloquent, the former was taciturn to the last degree.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky | Modeste Tchaikovsky
She spoke no word of English and seemed rather taciturn; the only anxiety she manifested was as to the amount of her remuneration.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3) | Charles James Wills
Pale, lean, taciturn and somewhat deaf, he bore much resemblance to the Knight of the Rueful Countenance.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z | Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe
Josephine appeared as usual at breakfast: talkative to her father, and taciturn to her female companion.
Alone | Marion Harland
They were silent and taciturn, and acted as though a short conversation indicated a "financial touch."
Ways of War and Peace | Delia Austrian

British Dictionary definitions for taciturn

taciturn

/ (ˈtæsɪˌtɜːn) /

adjective

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

Origin of taciturn

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

Derived forms of taciturn

taciturnity, noun
taciturnly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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