Taciturn
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Learn This WordMeaning
Reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little.
Memory trick
TACITURN = tacit (unspoken) + turn, someone who turns to silence.
Examples
He was taciturn at parties but brilliant in one-on-one conversations.
The taciturn witness answered only yes or no.
Her taciturn style made every word she spoke carry weight.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin taciturnus "silent," from tacere "to be silent."
Usage Notes
Describes a habit of speaking little, not just a single quiet moment. Often neutral or slightly negative.
Real-life contexts
Describe people: "He’s taciturn, give him space to open up."
Use in fiction: "The taciturn stranger watched from the corner."
Don’t assume rudeness: "She’s not cold; she’s just taciturn."
Common Mistakes
Taciturn describes people (or manner), not written text. For writing, use "terse" or "succinct."
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Part of Speech
adjective
Difficulty
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