reserved

adjective

re·​served ri-ˈzərvd How to pronounce reserved (audio)
1
: restrained in words and actions
2
: kept or set apart or aside for future or special use
reservedly adverb
reservedness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for reserved

silent, taciturn, reticent, reserved, secretive mean showing restraint in speaking.

silent implies a habit of saying no more than is needed.

the strong, silent type

taciturn implies a temperamental disinclination to speech and usually connotes unsociability.

taciturn villagers

reticent implies a reluctance to speak out or at length, especially about one's own affairs.

was reticent about his plans

reserved implies reticence and suggests the restraining influence of caution or formality in checking easy informal conversational exchange.

greetings were brief, formal, and reserved

secretive, too, implies reticence but usually carries a suggestion of deviousness and lack of frankness or of an often ostentatious will to conceal.

the secretive research and development division

Examples of reserved in a Sentence

She is a very reserved young woman. The front row is reserved for faculty.
Recent Examples on the Web Bradley Cooper’s best performance to date is also his most understated, playing a reserved and disturbed country artist who discovers a show-stopping singer (Lady Gaga) and embarks on a doomed love affair. Eric Farwell, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2024 Tickets are $80 each or $640 for a reserved table of eight, and can be purchased on the Chamber’s website at www.antiochchamber.com. Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Mariko is a more reserved, subtle character who lights up the screen, even without self-righteous tirades. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2024 The semi-private loge boxes feature heated seating, field views and all-inclusive food and beverage, along with a reserved dining table for each group. Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Bill is a reserved but profoundly decent man who appears to have spent his adult years taking up as little space as possible. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2024 Calm, reserved and even-tempered, Buck doesn’t drink, dance or gamble. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 26 Jan. 2024 When Elodie and Floria return to the castle, their reserved father (Ray Winstone) and striving stepmother (Angela Bassett) announce that the eldest daughter will marry Prince Harry of Aurea (Nick Robinson). Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 Tickets go on sale for reserved seating at the concert at 10 a.m. Feb. 23 at Summerfest.com, ticketmaster.com and the Summerfest box office, at 200 N. Harbor Drive. Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reserved.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reserved was in 1601

Dictionary Entries Near reserved

Cite this Entry

“Reserved.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reserved. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

reserved

adjective
re·​served ri-ˈzərvd How to pronounce reserved (audio)
1
: cautious in words and actions
a reserved young man
2
: kept or set apart or aside for future or special use
a reserved table
reservedly adverb
reservedness
-ˈzər-vəd-nəs
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on reserved

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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