tightlipped
Học thuậtThân thiện
Her colleagues remained tightlipped when asked about the surprise announcement.
Definition
Adjective: * Reluctant to speak; secretive; reticent: Describes a person who is unwilling to share information, talk freely, or reveal secrets. It implies a deliberate closing of the lips, both literally and figuratively, to prevent speech.
Usage and Examples
The adjective "tightlipped" is used to describe a person's behavior or demeanor, especially in situations involving private, sensitive, or confidential information.
- Example 1:
- Example 2:
- Example 3:
Advanced Usage
- Comparative and Superlative Forms: "more tightlipped," "most tightlipped." While "tightlipped" is a compound adjective, these comparative forms are standard.
- Of all the officials, the general was the most tightlipped.
- Adverbial Form: "tightlipped" can be used with verbs like "remain," "stay," or "be."
- He remained tightlipped throughout the entire interrogation.
Variants and Related Words
- Tight-lipped (adjective): This is a common hyphenated spelling variant of "tightlipped." Both forms are correct.
- Tightlippedness (noun, rare): The state or quality of being tightlipped.
- Close-lipped (adjective): A near-synonym with the same meaning.
Synonyms
- Reticent: Unwilling to speak freely; reserved.
- Secretive: Inclined to conceal information or feelings.
- Mum: (Informal) Silent, refusing to speak.
- Uncommunicative: Not willing to talk or give information.
- Closemouthed: Similar to close-lipped; not talking much.
Antonyms
- Talkative
- Loquacious
- Garrulous
- Forthcoming
- Candid
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To keep one's lips sealed / To be tight-lipped: To say nothing, especially about a secret.
- I promised to keep my lips sealed about the surprise party.
- To clam up: (Informal phrasal verb) To suddenly become silent and refuse to speak.
- He clammed up as soon as the police started asking questions.
Her colleagues remained tightlipped when asked about the surprise announcement.
Adjective
- inclined to secrecy or reticence about divulging information
- although they knew her whereabouts her friends kept close about it