taciturn Hear it!

taciturn Definition

taci·turn (tasə tʉrn′)

adjective

almost always silent; not liking to talk; uncommunicative

Etymology: < Fr or L: Fr taciturne; L taciturnus < tacere: see tacit

taciturn Related Forms
tac′i·tur·nity (-tʉrnə tē) noun taci·turn′ly adverb
taciturn Synonyms

taciturn

modif.

reticent, uncommunicative, silent, mute, speechless, close, mum, curt, close-mouthed, sententious, sparing, not liking to talk; see also quiet 2, reserved 3.

Antonyms talkative*, loquacious, chatty.

taciturn Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • man: He was, however, a somewhat - um - taciturn man.
  • nature: The fact that his mom likes to talk, and tends to answer for him, magnifies his taciturn nature.
  • character: Of a morose and taciturn character he is said to have been drinking heavily the week prior to the awful tragedy.
  • father: She meets younger brother and his garrulous and preganant wife ( Adams ), his taciturn father and none too approving mother.
  • manner: He talked very little, and seemed all the more mysterious for his taciturn manner.
  • partner: She also generates considerable chemistry with Bob Hoskins as her taciturn business partner.

Modifying Another Word

  • normally: When we got back to our car, parked opposite a mosque, our driver, Yusuf, normally taciturn, was looking shaken.
  • very: The notes and the colors have simply been two ways to communicate with the world, because I have always been very taciturn.
  • even: Now, however, Wessels is guarded, even taciturn, on the subject of his former vice-captain.
  • so: Article continues Devotees of complementary therapies are rarely so taciturn, which is understandable.

Browse dictionary entries near taciturn

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