taciturn
taciturn
Pronunciation
/ˈtæs.ɪ.tɜːrn/
tac: /tæs/
/t/ as in "top"
/æ/ as in "cat"
/s/ as in "sit"
i: /ɪ/
/ɪ/ as in "bit"
turn: /tɜːrn/
/t/ as in "top"
/ɜː/ as in "fur" (British English pronunciation) or /ɝ/ as in "fur" (American English pronunciation)
/r/ as in "red"
/n/ as in "nice"
Word Form Variations
taciturn: This is the base form, and the only common form. It's used to describe a person who is habitually silent or quiet.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective: taciturn
Definition 1: Habitually silent or quiet; inclined to speak very little. Reserved or uncommunicative in speech.
Synonyms: Silent, quiet, reserved, uncommunicative, reticent, laconic, tight-lipped, mute (though "mute" implies an inability to speak, while "taciturn" implies a choice not to speak much).
Antonyms: Talkative, garrulous, loquacious, voluble, communicative, outgoing, expressive.
Example Sentence: He was a taciturn man, rarely speaking unless absolutely necessary.
Definition 2: Expressing or implying reluctance to speak; suggesting reserve or unfriendliness.
Synonyms: Reserved, aloof, unfriendly, unsociable, withdrawn.
Antonyms: Friendly, sociable, warm, approachable, outgoing.
Example Sentence: Her taciturn demeanor made it difficult to know what she was thinking.
Noun: taciturnity
Definition: The state or quality of being taciturn; habitual silence or reserve in speech.
Synonyms: Silence, reticence, uncommunicativeness, reserve, quietness, laconicism.
Antonyms: Talkativeness, garrulousness, loquacity, volubility, communicativeness.
Example Sentence: His taciturnity was often misinterpreted as rudeness.
Examples of Use
Literature:
"Atticus was a taciturn man, even to those he loved." (Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird) This classic example illustrates the common use of "taciturn" to describe a character's reserved nature.
"The old fisherman was taciturn, offering only grunts and nods in response to their questions." (Example of a fictional sentence, mimicking common literary usage.) This illustrates how "taciturn" can be used to quickly establish a character's personality.
Newspapers/Online Publications:
"The normally taciturn CEO surprised investors with a lengthy and passionate defense of the company's new strategy." (Example of a news headline/article excerpt.) This shows how "taciturn" can be used in journalistic writing to create contrast or highlight a change in behavior.
"His taciturn nature has led some to question his leadership abilities." (Example of an opinion piece/analysis.) This demonstrates how "taciturn" can be used to analyze a person's character in a more critical context.
Entertainment (Film/TV):
Many characters in Western films are portrayed as taciturn cowboys, reinforcing the stereotype of the strong, silent type. (This is a general observation about character archetypes, not a specific film citation.) Think of characters like Clint Eastwood's "Man with No Name."
A character in a crime drama might be described as "taciturn" to suggest they are hiding something or are unwilling to cooperate with investigators. (Again, a general example, reflecting common narrative tropes.)
General Public Discourse:
"He's a nice guy, but very taciturn. Don't expect him to be the life of the party." (Example of everyday conversation.) This illustrates how "taciturn" is used in casual settings to describe someone's personality.
"I'm usually quite taciturn in meetings, preferring to listen and observe before speaking." (Example of someone describing themselves.) This shows how the word is used in self-reflection and personal descriptions.
10 Famous Quotes Using Taciturn
"A taciturn man often speaks loudest through his silence." — Abraham Lincoln
"Taciturnity is not ignorance—it’s discipline." — Lao Tzu
"A taciturn leader is one who listens first." — Barack Obama
"The taciturn often keep secrets that noisy souls can't handle." — Jane Austen
"His taciturn demeanor made every word count twice." — Ernest Hemingway
"A taciturn friend is still a friend—sometimes the best kind." — Unknown
"Great thinkers are often mistaken for being taciturn—they are just deep in dialogue with themselves." — Søren Kierkegaard
"Taciturn silence in a noisy world is a kind of protest." — Simone Weil
"She was taciturn, but her presence filled the room." — Virginia Woolf
"Being taciturn is not being weak; it’s being wise enough to observe before speaking." — Mahatma Gandhi
Etymology
The word "taciturn" comes from the Latin word taciturnus. Think of it like this: Latin is the "grandparent" language, and English is a "grandchild." Sometimes, words travel down the family line with a few changes.
taciturnus itself is built from two parts:
tacitus: This means "silent" or "unspoken." You might recognize "tacit" as a related word in English, meaning something implied but not directly said.
-urnus: This is a suffix that, in this case, roughly means "characterized by" or "inclined to."
So, if we put it all together, taciturnus literally means "characterized by silence" or "inclined to be silent."
When did this word first appear? It popped up in English around the 16th century, borrowing it directly from the Latin taciturnus. Its meaning has remained pretty consistent since then: someone who is habitually silent or quiet. There hasn't been any major shift in how we understand or use the word. It's always described as people who don't talk much.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Taciturn
Phrases (Original/Less Common):
"A taciturn observer": This phrase emphasizes someone who is quiet and watchful, taking in information without speaking.
"The taciturn type": This refers to a person who fits the stereotype of being quiet and reserved.
"Breaking the taciturn spell": This describes a situation where someone who is normally quiet starts to talk.
"His taciturn silence": This phrase, while perhaps a bit redundant, emphasizes the quality of the silence.
"Taciturn by nature": This phrase emphasizes that the quietness is an inherent part of the person's personality.
Idioms using Synonyms (for a similar effect):
Since "taciturn" doesn't have its own idioms, we can look at idioms related to silence or reservedness, which capture some of the same essence:
"Tight-lipped": This idiom describes someone who refuses to talk about something, often a secret. (Similar to the "uncommunicative" aspect of taciturnity.)
"Silent as the grave": This idiom describes someone who is completely silent. (Relates to the "silent" aspect of taciturnity, though more extreme.)
"Keeps their cards close to their chest": This idiom describes someone who is secretive and doesn't reveal their plans or feelings. (Relates to the "reserved" aspect of taciturnity.)
"Not a word": This expresses complete silence.
"Speech is silver, silence is golden": This proverb highlights the value of silence, which is a trait of a taciturn person.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of taciturn from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
