adjective
C2
Proficient
taciturn
TASS-i-turn
Taciturn (adjective) means saying very little by nature; habitually silent or reserved in speech. Example: “Her father was a taciturn man who answered most questions with a nod.”
adjective
1
Saying very little by nature; habitually silent or reserved in speech.
"Her father was a taciturn man who answered most questions with a nod."
"He grew more taciturn the longer the meeting went on."
How to use taciturn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNaturally quiet and not one for talking.
When to use it
Formal and literary; more common in writing than speech.
Memory tip
Taciturn describes people; tacit describes agreements. Mixing them up is the single most common error with this pair.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
taciturn man
naturally taciturn
taciturn and withdrawn
grow taciturn
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Her father was a _____ man who answered most questions with a nod.
Etymology
From Latin taciturnus "not talkative", from tacitus "silent", from tacere "to be silent".
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between taciturn and shy?
Shyness is about anxiety around other people; a shy person may want to talk but finds it hard. A taciturn person is simply not inclined to speak much, and is often perfectly comfortable in company while saying almost nothing.
What is the difference between taciturn and laconic?
Taciturn describes how much someone speaks overall — very little. Laconic describes the style of what they do say: short, dry and to the point. A laconic remark can come from someone quite talkative.
Is taciturn negative?
It is mildly so. It usually suggests coldness, gloom or unhelpfulness rather than admirable restraint. If you mean the quality positively, "reserved" or "understated" is a friendlier choice.
What is the meaning of taciturn?
"taciturn" (adjective) means saying very little by nature; habitually silent or reserved in speech.
