closemouthed

adjective

close·​mouthed ˈklōz-ˌmau̇tht 

-ˈmau̇tht,

 also  ˈklōs-ˌmau̇t͟hd,

-ˈmau̇t͟hd

: cautious in speaking : uncommunicative

also : secretive

Synonyms

• close
• dark
• reticent
• secretive
• tight-mouthed
• uncommunicative

Examples of closemouthed in a Sentence

he remained closemouthed about their activities

encourage the closemouthed children to speak up and not be shy

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s also the closemouthed, menacing technician who lives on a houseboat and raises snakes; the actress first hired for the show’s leading part who dropped out of the role before shooting began; and the unknown burglar who fled the frightened player’s house. —Tom Nolan, WSJ, 23 Dec. 2022

Hutton’s gaptoothed smile replaced the closemouthed gaze and white eyeliner of Vogue models of the 1960s. —Washington Post, 25 Dec. 2021

Ever since the couple pulled up stakes and moved away from the United Kingdom in March, their new spokespeople have been even more closemouthed. —Maria Puente, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2020

By and large, this is a secretive, closemouthed group of individuals who want nothing more than to say little and share even less. —Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 3 July 2018

Led by Vice President Temer, whose cryptic, closemouthed demeanor has his rivals comparing him to a butler in a horror movie, the centrists anchoring Ms. Rousseff’s coalition broke away last week. —Simon Romero, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2016

Word History

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

closemouthed

adjective

close·​mouthed -ˈmau̇t͟hd 

-ˈmau̇tht

: not saying very much