reticentret‧i‧cent /ˈretəsənt/ adjective 
Word Origin
She’s strangely reticent about her son.► see thesaurus at quiet—reticence noun [uncountable]
Word OriginWORD ORIGINreticent
ExamplesOrigin:
1600-1700 Latin present participle of reticere ‘to keep silent’, from tacere; ➔ TACITEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
Thesaurus- Auster was somewhat reticent about it at first, but finally admitted he was working on a new book.
- Irma was a shy and reticent child.
- John always was more reticent than his sister.
- But on few matters, it must be added, is even the most sophisticated economic and social comment more reticent.
- Few of them cared to talk about their jobs; they were as reticent as veterans of an unpopular war.
- In this matter, she is strangely reticent.
- McLaren keeps his own counsel, being as reticent as Ferguson is gregarious.
- The hon. Gentleman has been noticeably reticent in this respect in the past.
- The official reports are also reticent.
- Yet over one thing Edna had remained consistently reticent.
THESAURUSnot saying much► quiet
Collocations not saying much: · He’s a quiet boy who loves reading.· You’re very quiet tonight, Suzy – are you OK?
► silent not saying anything: · Her husband was a big silent man.· Everyone was arguing but I decided to remain silent.
► taciturn formal not talking much and seeming a little unfriendly or bad-tempered: · He found Vaughn a taciturn and rather difficult person.
► reticent unwilling to talk to other people, especially about a particular subject: · She’s always been reticent about her early life.
► a man/woman of few words someone who does not talk much, especially because they only speak when there is something important to say: · My father was a man of few words, but when he spoke everyone listened.
Longman Language Activatorsomeone who does not talk much► quiet someone who is quiet does not talk much. Quiet can be used generally about someone's character, or about a particular situation in which someone does not talk: · The new girl's quiet, but nice enough.· Steven's a very quiet boy who loves reading.· Tyrell was quiet early in the evening, but as he got to know us, he really opened up.
► silent written if someone is silent , they do not say anything. Silent is used before the noun if you are talking about someone's general character, and after the verb if you are talking about a particular situation: · Mrs. Welland was a mild silent woman with no strong opinions.be/remain/stay silent: · Alice was laughing and joking, but her sister remained silent.
► taciturn formal someone who is taciturn usually does not talk much, so that they may seem a little unfriendly or bad-tempered: · The ship's captain was a taciturn man who spoke only to give orders.· It was unlike her to be so taciturn - she must have had something on her mind.
► a man/woman of few words someone who usually does not talk much, because they only speak when there is something important to say: · My father was a man of few words, but when he spoke everyone listened.· Neighbors remember her as a woman of few words whom everyone respected.
► reticent unwilling to talk to other people or unwilling to talk about a particular subject: · Irma was a shy and reticent child.reticent about: · Auster was somewhat reticent about it at first, but finally admitted he was working on a new book.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB► more
unwilling to talk about what you feel or what you know SYN reservedreticent about· But on few matters, it must be added, is even the most sophisticated economic and social comment more reticent.· John always hung back, was more reticent.· It's acoustic and a little more reticent, but highly focused and with plenty of absorbing incident.· One needs to listen carefully to any client, but older people may be more reticent about disclosure to a stranger.
She’s strangely reticent about her son.► see thesaurus at quiet—reticence noun [uncountable]