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
Compare meaning
How does reticent compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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.
He had the grumpy, reticent look of a person who preferred animals to people.
From Literature
Fleischaker said it would be difficult to increase deportations, even with Border Patrol leaders at the helm, because of the complexities around securing travel documents and negotiating with countries that are reticent to accept deportees.
From Los Angeles Times
“Betting on perfection is a dangerous place to be in so we’ve been reticent to pile on to the momentum trades.”
From Barron's
Meanwhile, the reticent Teller serves as the perfect foil.
From Los Angeles Times
It became clear within moments that Shyamalan’s concept would win the day, though Sparks is reticent to say why, except that “mine was pretty dark.”
From Los Angeles Times
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.
