[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/reticence/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [R](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/r/) / reticence

# reticence

noun (reticence; uncountable)

«reticence» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. The habit of not saying much, or of keeping your feelings and thoughts to yourself. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reticence/#m1)
2. (sometimes, informal) Unwillingness to do something; reluctance. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reticence/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories it describes quiet, private characters: «Despite his reticence, he was kind». In formal writing: «reticence about discussing money». In everyday life: some people are naturally reticent and need time to share. Phrases: «reticence about», «his usual reticence», «overcome her reticence».

### Examples

- Despite her reticence, Mia told the teacher what had happened. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reticence/#x1)
- His reticence made some people think he was unfriendly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reticence/#x2)
- Grandad's reticence about the war meant he rarely talked about it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reticence/#x3)
- She overcame her reticence and sang in front of the class. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reticence/#x4)
- The detective noticed the witness's reticence. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reticence/#x5)
- Reticence is not the same as rudeness; some people are just quiet. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reticence/#x6)

### Note

Uncountable. Adjective: «reticent» (quiet, reserved). Stress: RET-i-sense. Traditionally it means «not speaking much»; using it to mean simply «reluctant» is common but some teachers mark it as a mistake.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «reticence» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/reticence/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«reticence» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/reticence.html) on Mova free.