Meaning & use
reticent
Unwilling to share one's thoughts or feelings readily; reserved in speech.
See it in a sentence
He remained reticent about his plans, even when his friends pressed for details.
She was naturally reticent in large groups, preferring one-on-one conversations instead.
A note on using this word
Focuses specifically on unwillingness to speak or reveal information, unlike shy, which describes general social nervousness.
Words with a similar meaning
reservedtight-lipped
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
talkativeforthcoming
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “reticent”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.