These words are alike in meaning restrained in speaking to others or reserved in manner. Taciturn characterizes a disposition to speak little, and then grudgingly; it conveys the strong suggestion of a dryness of manner bordering on unsociability.

• "Yes," was his taciturn response to the complex question posed; His was such a cold, taciturn nature that he could not even be relied upon to return a civil greeting.

Reticent implies a reluctance to speak freely about particular matters, especially about the one’s private affairs, rather than a quality of temperament, as is the case with taciturn .

• He became reticent when asked to divulge his income; reticent about discussing his life before his marriage.

Close , like taciturn , indicates a habit of temperament rather than particular instance. One who is close says little of his own affairs, perhaps because he has something to hide. Secretive makes the explicit accusation of knowing concealment, and is broader than the other words here considered in not necessarily applying to what is unsaid; it may apply instead to the manner of what is said: something secretive about him, although he answers you questions readily enough. Secretive implies suspicion or mistrust on the part of the observer: Why is she so secretive about her friends?

Uncommunicative , like taciturn , implies an unwillingness to speak even when speech is called for, but more strongly points to unsociable behaviour as the underlying motive for such reluctance: police occupied with interrogating an uncommunicative suspect; disturbed children who were sullen and uncommunicative . The word may indicate also a simple lack of verbal facility: the socially inadequate who are uncommunicative because they are unsure of themselves.