adj
reticent
REH-tih-suhnt
Reticent (adj) means unwilling to share thoughts, feelings, or information freely. Example: “He was reticent about his time in the army.”
adj
1
Unwilling to share thoughts, feelings, or information freely.
"He was reticent about his time in the army."
2
Reluctant to do something.
"She was reticent to sign the contract without reading it fully."
How to use reticent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishQuiet or guarded about sharing information — someone who holds back rather than speaking freely.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "reluctant" (unwilling to act) — reticent is specifically about being reserved in speech or sharing information, though the two senses overlap in casual use.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
reticent about
remain reticent
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more reticent
- Superlative
- most reticent
Fill the gap
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He was _____ about his time in the army.
Etymology
From Latin reticens, "keeping silent," from reticere ("to remain silent").
Synonyms
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untalkative
retiring
unemotional
reserved
restrained
tight-lipped
unwilling
closemouthed
disinclined
loath
reluctant
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for reticent
See all rhymes for reticent →Frequently asked questions
What does “reticent” mean?
The word “reticent” means unwilling to share thoughts, feelings, or information freely. In plain terms, quiet or guarded about sharing information — someone who holds back rather than speaking freely.
How do you pronounce “reticent”?
“Reticent” is pronounced REH-tih-suhnt (/ˈɹɛtɪsənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “reticent” in a sentence?
Here is “reticent” used in a sentence: “He was reticent about his time in the army.”
What is another word for “reticent”?
Words with a similar meaning to “reticent” include reserved, restrained, tight-lipped, unwilling, closemouthed and disinclined.
What part of speech is “reticent”?
“Reticent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “reticent” come from?
The word “reticent” comes from Latin. From Latin reticens, "keeping silent," from reticere ("to remain silent").
How many meanings does “reticent” have?
“Reticent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unwilling to share thoughts, feelings, or information freely.
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