adj · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˈɹɛtɪsənt/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Australia:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:R EH1 T IH0 S AH0 N T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Unwilling to communicate; keeping one's thoughts and opinions to oneself; reserved or restrained.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
She's rather reticent on the subject of her finances.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Hesitant or not wanting to take some action; reluctant (usually followed by a verb in the infinitive).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: proscribed
Examples
He is reticent to travel so much.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adjective satellite
Meaning 3
reluctant to draw attention to yourself
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: self-effacing, retiring
Antonyms: none provided
4
adjective satellite
Meaning 4
cool and formal in manner
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: restrained, unemotional
Antonyms: none provided
5
adjective satellite
Meaning 5
temperamentally disinclined to talk
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: untalkative
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Latin reticēns, present participle of reticeō (“to keep silence”).
Across languages
Translations
54 source translations are retained for this English entry.
