Words / C2

TAS-it-urn/ˈtæsɪtɜːn/

Taciturn means you say very little as a habit, not because you are shy this afternoon. Use it instead of quiet in a character note. In speech he does not say much; taciturn is for novels and obituaries more than for introducing a colleague.

Meaning

Saying very little; not talkative.

Examples

• “He is taciturn in meetings but writes well.”
• “The driver was taciturn until the last mile.”
• “A taciturn witness still shook the jury with one sentence.”

Good to know

Habitually uncommunicative. Everyday: quiet / reserved.

Near in meaning

reserved

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