reserved

[ ri-zurvd ]

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   Synonyms: cold, distant, withdrawn, taciturn, constrained, reticent, controlled, composed

4. characterized by reserve, as the disposition, manner, etc.:

   reserved comments.

   Synonyms: cold, distant, withdrawn, taciturn, constrained, reticent, controlled, composed

5. retaining the original color of a surface, especially when decorating portions of the surface with other colors.

reserved

/ 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

Derived Forms

• reˈservedness, noun
• reservedly, adverb

Other Words From

• re·serv·ed·ly [ri-, zur, -vid-lee], adverb
• re·served·ness noun
• over·re·served adjective
• over·re·serv·ed·ly adverb
• over·re·serv·ed·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reserved¹

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

Example Sentences

Carl, a kind raccoon who loves to collect things, lives in a fictional world called Fuzzytown with his friends, including twin rabbits, a helpful beaver, a reserved fox and an energetic squirrel.

From Los Angeles Times

In the latest in a growing list of these particular moments, the typically staid and reserved Martha Stewart was clearly not thrilled by the close proximity and intimacy with which Barrymore conducted a recent interview.

From Salon

A bill making its way through Parliament would abolish the 92 seats reserved for peers who inherit their titles through their families.

From BBC

Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, however, are reserved only for those with a fully honorable discharge.

From Los Angeles Times

He was a vocal leader on the team, something that didn’t necessarily come as naturally to the more reserved Maiava.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aloof
• cautious
• composed
• distant
• modest
• peaceful
• placid
• quiet
• restrained
• reticent
• serene
• soft-spoken
• taciturn