Closemouthed: meaning, definitions and examples

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closemouthed

 

[ ˈklōz-ˌmau̇thd ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

personality trait

Closemouthed refers to a person who is reserved, secretive, or unwilling to share thoughts or feelings. Such individuals often tend to keep their opinions to themselves and may be perceived as mysterious or unapproachable.

Synonyms

reserved, reticent, secretive, tight-lipped.

Examples of usage

  • He remained closemouthed about his plans for the future.
  • Despite her closemouthed demeanor, she had much to offer in terms of advice.
  • The detective found it challenging to gather information from the closemouthed witnesses.

Translations

Translations of the word "closemouthed" in other languages:

🇵🇹 taciturno

🇮🇳 चुप रहने वाला

🇩🇪 wortkarg

🇮🇩 tutup mulut

🇺🇦 мовчазний

🇵🇱 milczący

🇯🇵 口を閉ざした (くちをとざした)

🇫🇷 taciturne

🇪🇸 taciturno

🇹🇷 suskun

🇰🇷 입이 무거운 (ibi mugeoun)

🇸🇦 كتوم (katum)

🇨🇿 mlčenlivý

🇸🇰 mlčanlivý

🇨🇳 沉默寡言 (chénmòguǎyán)

🇸🇮 tihožit

🇮🇸 hugsamur

🇰🇿 үнсіз

🇬🇪 მოუწვდილი (mouckvdili)

🇦🇿 susqun

🇲🇽 taciturno

Etymology

The term closemouthed is a compound word that combines 'close,' meaning to shut or keep shut, and 'mouthed,' derived from 'mouth', which refers to the opening of the face used for speaking. Its usage can be traced back to the early 19th century, where it began to describe individuals who refrained from speaking openly or sharing their thoughts. This term reflects cultural attitudes towards secrecy and discretion, often implying a level of caution or reservedness in communication. Over time, closemouthed has maintained its relevance in describing character traits, especially in social contexts where discretion or confidentiality is valued. The word's construction also evokes imagery of a tightly closed mouth, symbolizing the refusal or reluctance to speak.