poker-faced
Betraying no feeling
Poker-faced means showing no expression or emotion, giving nothing away.
The term comes from poker, where revealing your feelings through facial expressions can cost you the game.
Someone poker-faced remains unreadable whether delivering bad news, hearing a surprise, or bluffing: She remained poker-faced throughout the interrogation.
Expressionless, especially for humor
- stone-facedRevealing no expression
- blankWithout marks or content
- inscrutableImpossible to understand
- unreadableCannot be deciphered
impassive · unexpressive · inexpressive · impenetrable · masked · vacant · glazed · flat
Calm and self-possessed
- unflappableImpossible to disturb
- imperturbableIncapable of being upset
- coolCalm or fashionable
- calmFree from agitation
collected · stoic · unmoved · unflinching · unruffled · steady · level-headed · self-possessed
Emotionally withdrawn, uninviting
- distantFar away or aloof
- reservedRestrained in manner
- withdrawnEmotionally distant, disengaged
- remoteDistant or controller
dispassionate · indifferent · nonchalant · unconcerned · unemotional · cold · cool · disinterested
Deceiving about one's position
- concealingKeeping something secret
- maskingConcealing by covering
- hidingStaying out of sight
- dissemblingConcealing true motives
feigning · inscrutable · unreadable · cagey · secretive · evasive · cryptic · enigmatic
deadpan
Expressionless, especially for humor
- stone-facedRevealing no expression
- blankWithout marks or content
- inscrutableImpossible to understand
unreadable · impassive · unexpressive · inexpressive · impenetrable · masked · vacant · glazed · flat · wooden
composed
Calm and self-possessed
- unflappableImpossible to disturb
- imperturbableIncapable of being upset
- coolCalm or fashionable
calm · collected · stoic · unmoved · unflinching · unruffled · steady · level-headed · self-possessed · even-keeled
aloof
Emotionally withdrawn, uninviting
remote · dispassionate · indifferent · nonchalant · unconcerned · unemotional · cold · cool · disinterested · standoffish
bluffing
Deceiving about one's position
- concealingKeeping something secret
- maskingConcealing by covering
- hidingStaying out of sight
dissembling · feigning · inscrutable · unreadable · cagey · secretive · evasive · cryptic · enigmatic · calculating
- introvertsintrovert, introverted, shy, reserved, loner
poker-facedexpressive
Showing feelings outwardly
animated · demonstrative · effusive · emotive · exuberant
poker-facedtransparent
Allowing light through
wearing one's heart on one's sleeve · open · readable · guileless · communicative
poker-facedexpressive
Showing feelings outwardly
animated · readable · demonstrative · transparent · emotive