reticent

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++ret·i·cent /ˈretəsənt/ adjective  TALK TO somebodyunwilling to talk about what you feel or what you know 寡言的，不愿多谈的 SYN reservedreticent about She’s strangely reticent about her son. 很奇怪，她不愿意多谈自己的儿子。► see thesaurus at quiet —reticence noun [uncountable]

Examples from the Corpus

reticent• Yet over one thing Edna had remained consistently reticent.• But on few matters, it must be added, is even the most sophisticated economic and social comment more reticent.• In this matter, she is strangely reticent.• The official reports are also reticent.• Auster was somewhat reticent about it at first, but finally admitted he was working on a new book.• McLaren keeps his own counsel, being as reticent as Ferguson is gregarious.• Few of them cared to talk about their jobs; they were as reticent as veterans of an unpopular war.• Irma was a shy and reticent child.• The hon. Gentleman has been noticeably reticent in this respect in the past.• John always was more reticent than his sister.reticent about• Shaw is clearly reticent about discussing his private life.Origin reticent (1600-1700) Latin present participle of reticere “to keep silent”, from tacere; → TACIT

ret·i·cent adjectiveChineseSyllable  

about you or talk Corpus unwilling feel to what

reticent
ret‧i‧cent /ˈretəsənt, ˈretɪsənt/ adjectiveunwilling to talk about what you feel or what you know
   SYN  reserved
    reticent about
    She’s strangely reticent about her son.
—reticence noun [uncountable]
     

THESAURUS

■ not saying much
   ▪ quiet not saying much: He’s a quiet boy who loves reading. | You’re very quiet tonight, Suzy – are you OK?
   ▪ silent not saying anything: Her husband was a big silent man. | Everyone was arguing but I decided to remain silent.
   ▪ taciturn /ˈtæsətɜːn, ˈtæsɪtɜːn $ -ɜːrn/ formal not talking much and seeming a little unfriendly or bad-tempered: He found Vaughn a taciturn and rather difficult person.
   ▪ reticent unwilling to talk to other people, especially about a particular subject: She’s always been reticent about her early life.
   ▪ a man/woman of few words someone who does not talk much, especially because they only speak when there is something important to say: My father was a man of few words, but when he spoke everyone listened.

reti·centBrE /ˈretɪsnt/ 🔊NAmE /ˈretɪsnt/ 🔊 adjective(formal) unwilling to tell people about things 寡言少语；不愿与人交谈；有保留 SYN reserved, uncommunicative ◆She was shy and reticent. 她羞怯而寡言少语。🔊🔊◆~ about sth He was extremely reticent about his personal life. 他对自己的私人生活讳莫如深。🔊🔊▸ reti·cence BrE /ˈretɪsns/ 🔊NAmE /ˈretɪsns/ 🔊 noun [uncountable]