taciturn

adjective

tac·i·turn ˈta-sə-ˌtərn

Synonyms of taciturn next

: temperamentally disinclined to talk

taciturnity

ˌta-sə-ˈtər-nə-tē

noun

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How should you use taciturn?

Even if you consider yourself a person of few words, taciturn is a good one to keep in your pocket, if for no other reason than it’s an efficient way to describe your own particular deportment. While ramblers ramble and babblers babble, the taciturn among us turn things down a notch, preferring to keep mum rather than add their voices to the verbal hubbub. Taciturn traces back ultimately to the Latin verb tacēre, meaning “to be silent.” While English users were quicker to adopt other tacēre descendants such as the adjective tacit (“expressed without words” or “implied”) in the 1600s and even the noun taciturnity in the 1400s, taciturn wasn’t on anyone’s lips until the 1700s.

Choose the Right Synonym for taciturn

silent, taciturn, reticent, reserved, secretive mean showing restraint in speaking.

silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

the strong, silent type

taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

taciturn villagers

reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.

was reticent about his plans

reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.

greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

secretive, too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal.

the secretive research and development division

Examples of taciturn in a Sentence

I went on speech strike … remaining defiantly taciturn through a procession of speech therapists and psychotherapists, verbalizing only to the gardener and swearing him to silence. —

Simon Schama, New Republic, 22 July 2002

The pipe-smoking Malcolm Cowley … though a faithful fellow-traveller, was too taciturn usually to show his hand. —

Mary McCarthy, Granta 27, Summer 1989

She was a small, taut, pale, wiry London girl, alarmingly taciturn, demon at basketball (at which she captained us) … —

Elizabeth Bowen, The Mulberry Tree, 1986

When he got to the substation that night, this private taciturn fellow had to spill his guts. If he didn't tell somebody, he might blow like a land mine. —

Joseph Wambaugh, Lines and Shadows, 1984

a somewhat taciturn young man a taciturn man, he almost never initiates a conversation

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Ayub as Adam is taciturn, hesitant and always apologetic, keeping his eyes downcast and his shoulders hunched. —

Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024 For many foreigners, Finns have a reputation for being stoic, serious, and taciturn. —

Brett Braley, Robb Report, 27 Nov. 2024 The typically taciturn Gilmour didn’t address or endorse any presidential nominees. —

Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024 Karen has largely been taciturn about her upcoming court dates and general circumstance, but Mia kicks the door open by mentioning that Karen seemingly drunk dialed Jacqueline recently, prompting a series of nervous murmurs around the table. —

Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for taciturn