tight-lipped

adjective

ˈtīt-ˈlipt 

1

: having the lips closed tight (as in determination)

2

: reluctant to speak : taciturn

Synonyms

• closemouthed
• dumb
• laconic
• reserved
• reticent
• silent
• taciturn
• uncommunicative

Examples of tight-lipped in a Sentence

the cabinet official is usually tight-lipped about her private life

Recent Examples on the Web

Goggins is playing at the most understated end of his range, as Rick is for the most part emotionally closed off and tight-lipped. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2025

Michaels is famously tight-lipped about the program, and why not? —Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Feb. 2025

Garner remained tight-lipped about the role when speaking with EW in January. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 5 Feb. 2025

Sarah Michelle Gellar Spoke with This Buffy Costar After Landing Her Role in Dexter: Original Sin (Exclusive) While Gellar remains tight-lipped about the in-the-works pilot, another series mainstay, Emma Caulfield, wasted no time reacting to news of the project. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tight-lipped

adjective

-ˈlipt

1

: having the lips closed tight (as in determination)

2

: not liking to speak : taciturn