tight-lipped

[ tahyt-lipt ]

/ ˈtaɪtˈlɪpt /

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See synonyms for tight-lipped on Thesaurus.com

adjective

speaking very little; taciturn; close-mouthed.

having the lips drawn tight.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of tight-lipped

First recorded in 1875–80

Words nearby tight-lipped

tightfitting, tight five, tight forward, tight head, tight-knit, tight-lipped, tight-money policy, tight-mouthed, tightrope, tightrope walker, tights

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

How to use tight-lipped in a sentence

Major League Baseball, though, is still being tight-lipped about what the end of the embargo might mean for the sport.
Is Major League Baseball Ready For Cuba’s Players?|Ben Jacobs|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Missy also gets a bit tight-lipped when it comes to her personal life.
Masters of Alt Sex: SuicideGirls Hits Puberty and Wants to Invade Your TV Set|Marlow Stern|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The actress is tight-lipped about the final season of ‘Mad Men.’
Is Elisabeth Moss the One 'True Detective' Loves? She Doesn't Deny It.|Melissa Leon|August 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Everybody involved in assisting the Malaysians has been very tight-lipped about what is going on.
Why Is Malaysia Hiding Its Report on MH370?|Clive Irving|April 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Still, not everyone was as tight lipped about poverty on the lower rungs of ladder as Obama was.
Obama Misfires in the War on Poverty|Lloyd Green|January 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Most of these were workmen of some kind or other, called in to help the lab crew as needed, but all of them were tight-lipped.
Security|Poul William Anderson
A slightly sardonic grimace wrinkled his tight-lipped mouth.
The Hidden Places|Bertrand W. Sinclair
Then, very tight-lipped, he issued out beneath the awning, where among the Malays a whispering buzz of talk was forward.
Cursed|George Allan England
He gave not only Jack's lilt and phraseology, but his facial changes and rather prim, tight-lipped smile.
Lady Lilith|Stephen McKenna
Tight-lipped, using her flashlight, she ran through the kitchen.
The White Moll|Frank L. Packard

British Dictionary definitions for tight-lipped

tight-lipped

adjective

reticent, secretive, or taciturn

with the lips pressed tightly together, as through anger

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

tight-lipped

Origin of tight-lipped

Words nearby tight-lipped

Words related to tight-lipped

How to use tight-lipped in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tight-lipped