buttoned-up
Formally restrained, guarded
Buttoned-up describes someone formal, reserved, or emotionally restrained—as if fastened tightly into proper clothing.
A buttoned-up executive maintains strict professionalism.
The term often implies rigidity or an unwillingness to relax: He's too buttoned-up to enjoy a party.
In British usage, buttoned-up can also mean secretive or uncommunicative about information.
Matched formal garments
- tieEqual score, or neckwear
- blazerSemiformal tailored jacket
- dress-codeRules governing appropriate clothing
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
protocol · corporate · executive · professional · boardroom · polished · proper · starched
Having restraint over impulses
- disciplinedHaving strict self-control
- subduedReduced in intensity
- composedCalm and self-possessed
- measuredCarefully considered, unhurried
stoic · unemotional · imperturbable · unflappable · controlled · inhibited · repressed · suppressed
Following long-held customs
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
- orthodoxConforming to established belief
- staidSerious and conventional
- soberFree from intoxication
prudent · cautious · proper · decorous · puritanical · unadventurous · old-fashioned · straitlaced
Disinclined to speak freely
- taciturnHabitually uncommunicative
- guardedWary and restrained
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- discreetCareful to avoid notice
secretive · undemonstrative · withdrawn · self-contained · aloof · uncommunicative · tight-lipped · closed-off
suit
Matched formal garments
- tieEqual score, or neckwear
- blazerSemiformal tailored jacket
- dress-codeRules governing appropriate clothing
etiquette · protocol · corporate · executive · professional · boardroom · polished · proper · starched · crisp
self-controlled
Having restraint over impulses
- disciplinedHaving strict self-control
- subduedReduced in intensity
- composedCalm and self-possessed
measured · stoic · unemotional · imperturbable · unflappable · controlled · inhibited · repressed · suppressed · stiff
traditional
Following long-held customs
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
- orthodoxConforming to established belief
- staidSerious and conventional
sober · prudent · cautious · proper · decorous · puritanical · unadventurous · old-fashioned · straitlaced · square
reticent
Disinclined to speak freely
discreet · secretive · undemonstrative · withdrawn · self-contained · aloof · uncommunicative · tight-lipped · closed-off · unforthcoming
- restrainedrestrained, reserved, subdued, controlled, muted
- prudishnessprimness, priggishness, prissiness, puritanism, stuffiness
- conformityconformity, conforming, conform, conformist, conformism
- elegantchic, stylish, refined, tasteful, elegant
- professional traitsprofessional, formal, organized, efficient, punctual
- tidyneat, orderly, organized, tidied, uncluttered
buttoned-upexpressive
Showing feelings outwardly
demonstrative · effusive · warm · uninhibited · unguarded
button, buttons, buttoned, unbuttoned, buttoning, buttonhole, button-down, unbuttoning, buttonholes