closemouthed

adjective

close·​mouthed ˈklōz-ˌmau̇tht How to pronounce closemouthed (audio)
-ˈmau̇tht,
 also  ˈklōs-ˌmau̇t͟hd,
-ˈmau̇t͟hd
: cautious in speaking : uncommunicative
also : secretive

Examples of closemouthed in a Sentence

he remained closemouthed about their activities encourage the closemouthed children to speak up and not be shy
Recent Examples on the Web There’s also the closemouthed, menacing technician who lives on a houseboat and raises snakes; the actress first hired for the show’s leading part who dropped out of the role before shooting began; and the unknown burglar who fled the frightened player’s house. Tom Nolan, WSJ, 23 Dec. 2022 Hutton’s gaptoothed smile replaced the closemouthed gaze and white eyeliner of Vogue models of the 1960s. Washington Post, 25 Dec. 2021 Ever since the couple pulled up stakes and moved away from the United Kingdom in March, their new spokespeople have been even more closemouthed. Maria Puente, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2020 By and large, this is a secretive, closemouthed group of individuals who want nothing more than to say little and share even less. Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 3 July 2018 Led by Vice President Temer, whose cryptic, closemouthed demeanor has his rivals comparing him to a butler in a horror movie, the centrists anchoring Ms. Rousseff’s coalition broke away last week. Simon Romero, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'closemouthed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of closemouthed was in 1881

Dictionary Entries Near closemouthed

Cite this Entry

“Closemouthed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closemouthed. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

closemouthed

adjective
close·​mouthed -ˈmau̇t͟hd How to pronounce closemouthed (audio)
-ˈmau̇tht
: not saying very much
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