Word of the day · 11 April 2026
reticent
/ˈrɛtɪsənt/
adjective
Not inclined to speak freely; reserved about feelings or facts.
In a sentence
- He remained reticent about the failed deal.
- A reticent witness gave only short answers.
- The company was reticent on the cause of the outage.
In an image
Origin
From Latin reticere (to be silent), from tacere (to be silent).
History
Reticent describes people and institutions that keep counsel. It is quieter than secretive and less harsh than evasive. Diplomats, shy students and careful witnesses can all be reticent. The word marks restraint, not necessarily guilt.
Nearby words
reserved · silent · tight-lipped
Holding back words when others push for more.