- Today's Word
Reticent
RET-ih-sent
Definition
(adjective) Reluctant to speak or reveal one’s thoughts or feelings.
Example
He was reticent during the interview, offering only brief replies.
Fun Fact
Although reticent originally meant simply “silent,” its modern use is richer—it signals someone who’s hesitant to speak, often due to personal boundaries, social anxiety, or strategic restraint. In legal contexts, reticent witnesses might be protecting themselves. In fiction, reticent characters often hold secrets. It’s a favorite word when someone’s silence says more than words ever could.
(noun) A profound transformation or change of mindset; a spiritual or psychological conversion.
Traveling alone for a year sparked a deep metanoia, reshaping her priorities and sense of purpose.
From Greek meta- (“beyond” or “after”) + noia (“mind”), meaning “a shift of mind.”