Meaning & use
man of few words
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UK/ˌmæn əv ˌfjuː ˈwɜːdz/
US/ˌmæn əv ˌfjuː ˈwɜːrdz/
Meaning
nounidiom
A man who speaks very little, usually because he is quiet or likes to say only what matters.
Grammar: Usually follows be: he is a man of few words.
Patterns
- be a man of few words
My grandfather was a man of few words, but everyone listened.
The coach is a man of few words and rarely praises players aloud.
He's a man of few words, so don't expect a long speech.
Common combinations
- a man of few words
- The farmer was a man of few words.
- a woman of few words
- My aunt is a woman of few words.
- known as a man of few words
- He was known as a man of few words.
- typical man of few words
- A man of few words, he simply nodded.
Synonyms and how they differ
- taciturn
- Taciturn is a single formal adjective and often sounds a bit cold, while man of few words feels warmer.
- reserved
- Reserved stresses keeping feelings private, not just speaking little.
- quiet
- Quiet is a plain word for anyone who speaks little and does not suggest purpose.
- laconic
- Laconic suggests short, sharp replies, usually in a literary way.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: man of few words or man of his word?
man of few words vs man of his word
A man of his word keeps his promises; it says nothing about how much he talks.
Practice
My uncle is a man of few words. What does that tell you about him?
Choose one answer.
A man of few words says little. Keeping promises is man of his word, a different idiom.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “man of few words”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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