retiring

adjective

re·​tir·​ing ri-ˈtī(-ə)r-iŋ How to pronounce retiring (audio)
retiringly adverb
retiringness noun

Examples of retiring in a Sentence

a shy, retiring young woman one retiring young girl was sitting alone quietly in a corner during the party
Recent Examples on the Web After running more than 400 games, the researchers concluded that a fully passive style of scavenging – snatching some carrion when no one is looking – was too retiring and less than ideal. Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2023 Austen’s most retiring and internal heroine, spends much of the movie chatting to the camera, even giving sarcastic glances and eye rolls in the middle of the action. David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 July 2022 So a more retiring co-parent certainly can be, say, the homework explainer and behind-the-scenes calendar keeper while the more outgoing parent takes meetings and makes phone calls – absolutely. Carolyn Hax, Detroit Free Press, 15 May 2018 In part, that's because Hemsley is probably the most retiring, publicity-adverse CEO heading an iconic company. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'retiring.' 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

1566, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of retiring was in 1566

Dictionary Entries Near retiring

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

retiring

adjective
re·​tir·​ing
ri-ˈtī(ə)r-iŋ
retiringly
-iŋ-lē
adverb
retiringness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on retiring

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