Reticence Meaning in English

word

US

ˈɹɛtɪsəns

RET-uh-sens

UK

ɹˈɛtɪsəns

RET-ih-sens

Definition

Reticence is a reluctance to speak or share your thoughts and feelings. It describes being quiet, reserved, or unwilling to communicate openly.

Usage & Nuances

Formal and often used in academic, literary, or psychological contexts. Common collocations: 'show reticence', 'overcome reticence', 'her natural reticence'. Not a synonym for 'shyness'—'reticence' implies deliberate silence or reserve, not fear.

• Spanish: reticencia
• Portuguese (BR): reticência
• Portuguese (PT): reticência
• Chinese (Simplified): 沉默寡言 - 缄默
• Chinese (Traditional): 沉默寡言 - 緘默
• Hindi: संकोच - चुप्पी
• Arabic: تحفظ - تحفظ في الكلام
• Bengali: নীরবতা - অল্পভাষিতা
• Russian: сдержанность - молчаливость
• Japanese: 寡黙さ - 無口さ
• Vietnamese: sự kín tiếng - sự dè dặt
• Korean: 과묵함 - 말수가 적음
• Turkish: suskunluk - ketumluk
• Urdu: احتیاط - کم گوئی
• Indonesian: keseganan berbicara - sifat pendiam

Example Sentences

Her reticence at the meeting surprised everyone.

basic

His reticence made it hard to know what he was thinking.

basic

I admired her reticence in a difficult situation.

basic

Despite her natural reticence, she shared her story.

natural

There was a clear reticence to talk about the past.

natural

He overcame his reticence and spoke up in class.

natural