Reticence

C1 16+

Pronunciation: /ˈrɛtɪsəns/

Definitions of reticence

noun the quality of being reserved or reluctant to speak or communicate

Example Sentences

A1 She showed reticence when asked to speak in front of the class.

A2 His reticence to share his feelings made it difficult for his friends to understand him.

B1 The politician's reticence on the issue raised suspicions among the public.

B2 Her reticence in discussing her past only fueled speculation about her mysterious background.

C1 The author's reticence to give interviews added to his enigmatic persona.

C2 Despite his reticence, she was able to extract valuable information from him during the interrogation.

adjective reticent (reluctant to speak or communicate)

Example Sentences

A1 She spoke with reticence when asked about her personal life.

A2 The shy boy's reticence made it difficult for him to make friends.

B1 Her reticence in sharing her opinions often led to misunderstandings.

B2 Despite his reticence, he was a great listener and observer.

C1 The politician's reticence on the issue raised suspicions among the public.

C2 Her reticence was seen as a sign of wisdom and maturity in the business world.

Examples of reticence in a Sentence

formal Her reticence in sharing her personal life with her colleagues was noticeable.

informal He showed reticence when asked about his plans for the weekend.

slang She's always been tight-lipped, but her reticence about the party was suspicious.

figurative The reticence of the old house revealed its mysterious past.

Grammatical Forms of reticence

past tense

reticenced

plural

reticences

comparative

more reticent

superlative

most reticent

present tense

reticence

future tense

will reticence

perfect tense

have reticenced

continuous tense

is reticencing

singular

reticence

positive degree

reticent

infinitive

to reticence

gerund

reticencing

participle

reticencing

Origin and Evolution of reticence

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'reticence' originated from the Latin word 'reticentia', which means 'silence' or 'keeping silent'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'reticence' has evolved to also include the connotation of being reserved or reluctant to speak, in addition to simply being silent.