closemouthed
Not freely talking
Closemouthed means unwilling to speak or reveal information—tight-lipped, secretive.
Someone closemouthed about their past deflects questions or gives minimal answers.
The word suggests deliberate reticence rather than shyness: He remained closemouthed about the deal even after it closed.
Also spelled close-mouthed.
Unwilling to divulge
- discreetCareful to avoid notice
- guardedWary and restrained
- privateRestricted to certain parties
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
covert · furtive · stealthy · surreptitious · undercover · veiled · shrouded · cryptic
Unwilling to share thoughts
reserved · wordless · terse · monosyllabic · curt · unresponsive · unforthcoming · sparing
Turned toward inner life
- aloofEmotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- distantFar away or aloof
- reservedRestrained in manner
- detachedApart or uninvolved
reclusive · unsociable · standoffish · cool · remote · solitary · unapproachable · antisocial
tight-lipped
Unwilling to divulge
clandestine · covert · furtive · stealthy · surreptitious · undercover · veiled · shrouded · cryptic · enigmatic
uncommunicative
Unwilling to share thoughts
mute · reserved · wordless · terse · monosyllabic · curt · unresponsive · unforthcoming · sparing · brief
introverted
Turned toward inner life
detached · reclusive · unsociable · standoffish · cool · remote · solitary · unapproachable · antisocial · hermitic
- introvertsintrovert, introverted, shy, reserved, loner
closemouthedtalkative
Inclined to speak much
loquacious · garrulous · chatty · voluble · verbose
closemouthedopen
Not closed
candid · frank · forthcoming · outspoken · unreserved
close, mouth, closed, closing, mouthful, closer, closest, mouthed, mouthing