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Synonyms

reserved

American  
[ri-zurvd] / rɪˈzɜrvd /

adjective

  1. kept or set apart for some particular use or purpose.

  2. kept by special arrangement for some person.

    a reserved seat.

  3. formal or self-restrained in manner and relationship; avoiding familiarity or intimacy with others.

    a quiet, reserved man.

    Synonyms:
    composed, cold, distant, withdrawn, taciturn, constrained, reticent, controlled
  4. characterized by reserve, as the disposition, manner, etc..

    reserved comments.

    Synonyms:
    composed, cold, distant, withdrawn, taciturn, constrained, reticent, controlled
  5. retaining the original color of a surface, especially when decorating portions of the surface with other colors.


reserved British  
/ rɪˈzɜːvd, rɪˈzɜːvɪdlɪ /

adjective

  1. set aside for use by a particular person or people

    this table is reserved

  2. cool or formal in manner; restrained, silent, or reticent

  3. destined; fated

    reserved for great things

  4. referring to matters that are the responsibility of the national parliament rather than a devolved regional assembly

    defence is a reserved issue

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • overreserved adjective
  • overreservedly adverb
  • overreservedness noun
  • reservedly adverb
  • reservedness noun

Etymology

Origin of reserved

A late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; reserve, -ed 2

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.

Gran gasps, her hand flying to her mouth, and Dad’s eyes cut me with a glare that, until now, has always been reserved for Mom.

From Literature

He did not mean that Clare would spend eternity in the realm reserved for the worst souls.

From Literature

The first tickets will go on sale from April 2-6 in a presale window reserved only for locals in Southern California and Oklahoma.

From Los Angeles Times

It is because of issues in the global supply chain, with some stocks being reserved for those with acute conditions or emergency prescriptions.

From BBC

On top of that, he reserved the first nine shows for locals who might have been unable to see him on previous world tours.

From The Wall Street Journal