taciturn

adjective

tac·i·turn | \ ˈta-sə-ˌtərn

Definition of taciturn

: temperamentally disinclined to talk

Other Words from taciturn Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym How Should You Use taciturn? Example Sentences Learn More about taciturn

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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

How Should You Use taciturn?

We first find "taciturn" in a satiric drama written in 1734 by James Miller, a British clergyman educated at Oxford. A character describes a nephew thus: "When he was little, he never was what they call Roguish or Waggish, but was always close, quiet, and taciturn." It seems we waited unduly long to adopt this useful descendent of the verb tacēre, meaning "to be silent" - we were quicker to adopt other words from the "tacēre" family. We’ve been using "tacit," an adjective meaning "expressed without words" or "implied," since the mid-17th century. And we’ve had the noun taciturnity, meaning "habitual silence," since at least 1450.

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

Patterson, eye black still on his face, was mostly taciturn. — Orion Sang, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan football's new offense and Shea Patterson are a perfect fit," 1 Sep. 2019 The taciturn lawman mumbled his responses and frequently asked the representatives to repeat their questions, leading to speculation that the 74-year-old had lost a step. — Jess Bidgood, BostonGlobe.com, "In refusing to join the partisan fray, Mueller may have intensified it," 24 July 2019 Most people remember Landry as the taciturn Texan who coached the Cowboys for 29 seasons, had 2 Super Bowl championships and 270 wins—the face of the franchise. — Rich Cohen, Harper's magazine, "The Wood Chipper," 19 Aug. 2019 Democrats on the intelligence panel have prepared for Mueller’s testimony by conducting mock hearings, with a staffer playing the taciturn former special counsel while lawmakers practice how to press him for details. — Ana Radelat, courant.com, "Rep. Jim Himes: Mueller hearings may be ‘letdown’ to many," 23 July 2019 No longer an only child with ample urban comforts, she must get used to a hardscrabble life in the Abruzzo countryside, with taciturn parents who beat their offspring and cruel brothers who torment her. — The Economist, "The story of a lost girl," 29 June 2019 Paul is effusive and almost bubbly, while Fred is more taciturn and tends to let Paul run, interrupting only when corrections are necessary. — Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, "Video: How Star Control II was almost a much more boring game," 27 Dec. 2018 These conflicts unfold in tandem with the quietly evolving relationship between Corcoran’s vivaciously appealing Inge and Kimmel’s initially introverted and taciturn Olaf. — Misha Berson, The Seattle Times, "Taproot Theatre’s ‘Sweet Land’ features an appealing romance set amid xenophobia," 31 July 2018 His younger brother, the shy and taciturn Diego, remained a close companion throughout his life. — Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, "Giacometti’s Skinny Sublimity," 6 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'taciturn.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for taciturn

taciturn

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of taciturn

formal : tending to be quiet : not speaking frequently

See the full definition for taciturn in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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taciturn

Definition of taciturn

Other Words from taciturn

Synonyms & Antonyms for taciturn

Choose the Right Synonym for taciturn

How Should You Use taciturn?

Examples of taciturn in a Sentence

First Known Use of taciturn

History and Etymology for taciturn

English Language Learners Definition of taciturn

taciturn

Definition of taciturn

Other Words from taciturn

Synonyms & Antonyms for taciturn

Choose the Right Synonym for taciturn

How Should You Use taciturn?

Examples of taciturn in a Sentence

First Known Use of taciturn

History and Etymology for taciturn

English Language Learners Definition of taciturn

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