closemouthed

[ klohs-mouthd, -moutht ]

adjective

1. reticent; uncommunicative.

   Synonyms: secretive, taciturn, diffident, tight-lipped

Word History and Origins

Origin of closemouthed¹

First recorded in 1880–85; close + mouth + -ed ³

Example Sentences

The Nationals named Mr. Lerner’s son, Mark, managing principal owner in 2018, but the elder Mr. Lerner remained the unquestioned, if closemouthed, patriarch in control of the team’s purse strings.

From Washington Post

The chasteness of Korean dramas is also a major draw: There’s typically no on-screen nudity, and depictions of sex are rare — 16 episodes usually lead up to a kiss, often closemouthed.

From Washington Post

The closemouthed Scottish scientist never mentioned the incident.

From Literature

Scott, famously closemouthed about her philanthropy choices, has not explained why she singled out those affiliates or landed on Communities In Schools for her largesse, said the nonprofit’s Washington director, Erin McCallum.

From Seattle Times

Hutton’s gaptoothed smile replaced the closemouthed gaze and white eyeliner of Vogue models of the 1960s.

From Washington Post