What does reticent mean?
Reticent means unwilling to speak openly about oneself, one's feelings, or a particular subject. It describes a person who is reserved, guarded, or slow to disclose thoughts and information. The word can be used for ordinary social behaviour, as when someone is reticent in a group, but it also has a formal tone and often suggests deliberate discretion or caution. A reticent person may eventually speak, but does so reluctantly or only after being asked directly. In professional contexts, the term can indicate tact or confidentiality: a witness may be reticent about what they know, or an executive may be reticent about company plans. Reticent is commonly paired with “about,” especially in the pattern “reticent about something.” It is related etymologically to words such as tacit and taciturn, all of which derive from the Latin root associated with silence.
adjectiveNot willing to talk about something or reveal one's thoughts or feelings. A reticent person is reserved or uncommunicative.
- Reluctant to speak or communicate; reserved or uncommunicative about a subject, feeling, or intention.
"She was initially reticent about discussing her plans for the future."
"He remained reticent about the reasons for his decision."
"Initially reticent in front of the audience, she gradually began to share her thoughts."
Reticent comes from Latin for keeping silent, and has preserved that discreetly silent character for centuries.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reticent come from?
Reticent derives from Latin reticens, a present participle meaning “silent” or “keeping silent.” Its underlying verb reticere combined re-, meaning “back” or “again,” with tacere, meaning “to be silent.” English borrowed the word in the early 19th century with the sense of being reserved or unwilling to speak. It shares a root with tacit, taciturn, and taciturnity, all of which likewise concern silence or saying something without explicit words.
Related word forms
How reticent is actually used
Reticent is formal and often describes someone who is deliberately or naturally reserved. It can suggest caution, privacy, shyness, or unwillingness to reveal information, depending on context.