adjective
Other Word Forms
- nonreticent adjective
- nonreticently adverb
- reticence noun
- reticency noun
- reticently adverb
- unreticent adjective
- unreticently adverb
Etymology
Origin of reticent
First recorded in 1825–35; from Latin reticent- (stem of reticēns ), present participle of reticēre “to be silent,” equivalent to re- “again, back” + -tic-, combining form of tacēre “to be silent” ( tacit ) + -ent- adjective suffix; re-, -ent
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The staunch Republican was less reticent about his political persuasions and was a guest at President George W Bush's inauguration in 2001.
From BBC
Yet the board is reticent to set a new finish date for the remaining work, including the divisive Glory Facade and its four bell towers.
From Barron's
Disney’s struggles with succession over the decades have become epic dramas filled with false starts, larger-than-life leaders reticent to go and allegations of hollow searches for a new CEO.
From Los Angeles Times
But some companies already appear reticent, in part because they worry about the legal and financial risks they would be taking.
From Barron's
However, many investors are reticent to sell stocks short.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
