Gloss · Words · Taciturn

taciturn

ˈtæsɪˌtɜːrnadjective

What does taciturn mean?

Saying very little, by habit.

Taciturn, six ways

PlainSaying very little, by habit.
ADHDQuiet. Not shy. Just doesn’t talk much.
Gen ZThe friend who barely talks and is fine with it.
MetaphorA closed door that is not locked.
FormalReserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little.
Like I’m 5A person who does not talk much, even when others do. That’s taciturn.

How to pronounce taciturn

TAS-ih-turn/ˈtæsɪˌtɜːrn/

Taciturn in a sentence

My grandfather was a taciturn man.
My taciturn uncle says two words a dinner.
The taciturn sheriff is a fixture of westerns.

Synonyms for taciturn

quietPlainer.
reservedHolding back, not only words.
laconicBrief, often wittily.

Taciturn vs reticent: A taciturn person rarely talks. A reticent person is holding something back. The difference, in plain English.

Laconic vs taciturn: Laconic is saying a lot in few words. Taciturn is saying few words, full stop. The difference, in plain English.

Where taciturn comes from

Latin. Tacitus, silent, from tacere, to be silent.

Good to know

Taciturn describes a temperament. For someone unwilling to talk about one thing, reticent.

Taciturn meaning, on a Gloss card: Saying very little, by habit.

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Words like taciturn

laconic · loquacious · reticent · tenacious · susurrus · didactic · All 110 words

In: Words for people · SAT words