adjective

taciturn

/ˈtæsɪtɜːrn/ · say it: TAS·i·turn

reserved and saying little

In Personality & Character

In more detail

1. (adjective) not talking much; quiet and reserved

2. (adjective) saying very little; using few words

Examples

1. He is a taciturn person who rarely speaks unless spoken to.
2. The taciturn reply gave us no information about what he was thinking.

How to use taciturn

Taciturn describes someone who habitually speaks very little or reveals little through speech. It suggests a deliberate quality rather than shyness, often implying emotional restraint or inscrutability. It is more formal and literary than the simpler 'quiet,' and often carries a slightly enigmatic or guarded connotation.

Common phrases

taciturn person
taciturn manner
taciturn nature
remain taciturn
taciturn response

Synonyms

reticent · quiet · reserved · uncommunicative · tight-lipped

Opposites

talkative · garrulous · loquacious

Word family

taciturnity (noun) · taciturnly (adverb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse taciturn with tacit (meaning implied but not stated), but taciturn specifically refers to a person's tendency to be silent, not to unstated meanings.

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD