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reserved

reserved

3.7
Not willing to show feelings or talk much
  • adjective
  • /rɪˈzɜrvd/
translation icon : reservado
  • Although she seemed friendly, Sarah was actually quite reserved and preferred to keep her thoughts to herself.

Very quiet in this car feels very quiet, very reserved, very comfortable.

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Examples

  • Natalie was like so many of us, she was quiet, a bit reserved, but knew her stuff.

  • Eric is very reserved and methodical.

  • So I understand why artists are reserved in that regard.

  • I would say I'm reserved naturally.

  • I would still go and it's very, very quiet, reserved, timid, sat in the back.

  • During the meeting, John remained reserved, only speaking when he felt it was absolutely necessary.

  • Despite being in a large crowd, Emma felt reserved and chose to observe rather than engage in conversation.

Synonyms

shy
vsreserved
343 1.0

Nervous and likely to avoid people or new situations

is quiet and slow to show feelings rather than nervous or socially avoidant
aloof
vsreserved
34 6.3

Not friendly and distant, not joining in with other people

is quiet in manner and slow to show feelings rather than openly distant
reticent
vsreserved
17 7.9

Not willing to talk about thoughts or feelings easily

is generally quiet and slow to reveal personal feelings or opinions
demure
vsreserved
14 7.4

Being quiet, modest, and often shy

is quiet and slow to show feelings rather than modestly playful in manner
subdued
vsreserved
11 5.5

Quiet and controlled in voice or actions, not noisy

is slow or unwilling to show feelings rather than mainly low energy
unemotional
vsreserved
11 4.4

Not showing strong feelings

is slow or unwilling to show feelings rather than simply emotionally calm
standoffish
vsreserved
9 7.1

Not friendly and keeping a distance from others

is quiet and slow to show feelings rather than deliberately avoiding interaction
taciturn
vsreserved
5 8.4

A person who does not speak much and seems reserved

is quiet but can speak occasionally rather than being habitually silent
diffident
vsreserved
4 8.0

Shy and not confident about speaking or acting in front of others

is quiet and slow to show feelings rather than shy from low personal confidence
incommunicative
vsreserved
7.6

Unwilling to talk or answer questions

is usually quiet yet not necessarily refusing to share information
nonvocal
vsreserved
6.2

A person who does not say opinions or feelings openly

is quiet and slow to express views rather than actively withholding them
restrained
vsreserved
5.3

Calm and controlled, not strong or showy

is slow or unwilling to show feelings rather than mainly controlled behavior
unexpansive
vsreserved
8.6

Not talking much and not showing strong feelings

is generally quiet and slow to show feelings rather than socially open
guarded
vsreserved
4.9

Careful about showing feelings or strong opinions to avoid saying too much

is usually quiet and slow to show feelings rather than cautious for safety
untalkative
vsreserved
6.2

Not talking much and often listening to others

is slow or unwilling to show feelings rather than simply quiet
withdrawn
vsreserved
4.8

Someone who is quiet and prefers to be alone instead of being with others

is slow to show feelings in speech rather than avoiding social contact

Antonyms

78 4.2

To speak freely and directly about opinions or feelings

41 3.4

Showing feelings and ideas clearly in the face or voice

2 6.0

Showing strong feelings or opinions without holding back

Idioms

4 6.8

A phrase that says no one may copy or use a work without permission

How Reserved

aloof
34 6.3
taciturn
5 8.4
reticent
17 7.9
reserved
3.7
quiet
189 1.0

Surface Forms

reserved positive
reserveder comparative
reservedest superlative

Morphology

reserved = reserve (semi-transparent) = reserve + ed

Formed from 'reserve' + -ed but the sense 'quiet, restrained in manner' is a metaphorical/personality extension of 'holding back', so inference is required.

Etymology

Reserved comes from Latin parts re- 'back' and servare 'to keep', the same idea you see in preserve. So a reserved person 'keeps back' their feelings and stays quiet and calm.