Gloss · Words · Taciturn vs reticent
Taciturn vs reticent
A taciturn person rarely talks. A reticent person is holding something back.
The difference
Taciturn is a temperament. The taciturn man at the end of the bar says little because that is how he is, on every subject, every day. It is close to quiet, with a touch of grim. Reticent is about a subject. A reticent witness is unwilling to say what they know; someone reticent about their past talks freely about everything else. The silence has a reason, and it is usually a specific one.
Taciturn
Saying very little, by habit.
My grandfather was a taciturn man.
Reticent
Holding back from saying what you think or feel.
He was reticent about his years abroad.
Which one to use
If they never say much, taciturn. If they will not say this, reticent.
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