September 21, 2009
reticent (adjective)
\RET-uh-sunt\ Hear it!
What does it mean?
1 : not tending to talk or give out information2 : quiet in tone or appearance3 : showing doubt or unwillingness
How do you use it?
After her family laughed at her ambition to become an astronaut, Becca became more reticent about her plans for the future.
Are you a word wiz?

Which one of these words do you think is a synonym of "reticent"?

No need to be quiet about picking B. "Reticent" suggests a dislike of talking about your own business. ("My neighbor was reticent about her job.") "Silent," meanwhile, implies a habit of never saying more than you must. ("He's a silent person who leads by example.") "Taciturn," another synonym, suggests that by nature you dislike talking and may also refer to being alone. ("She was a taciturn farmer who did not welcome visitors.") And "reserved" implies that you are rigid and quiet during conversation. ("The reserved couple did not join in the discussion.")
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