taciturn
adjective C2
Plain meaning
quiet and not saying much
Exam-register meaning
habitually reserved or uncommunicative in speech
In context
naturalMy grandfather was taciturn, but he listened carefully.
examThe taciturn narrator forces readers to infer emotion from action rather than dialogue.
Common collocations
taciturn mantaciturn mannertaciturn response
Watch out
Taciturn describes a person’s habit or manner, not a single moment of silence.
Word family
taciturnity (noun)taciturnly (adverb)