reticent UK /ˈɹɛtɪsənt/US /ˈrɛt ə sənt/ adjective2 •Unwilling to communicate; keeping one's thoughts and opinions to oneself; reserved or restrained.She's rather reticent on the subject of her finances. •(nonstandard) Hesitant or not wanting to take some action; reluctant (usually followed by a verb in the infinitive).He is reticent to travel so much. formsmore reticent · most reticent