buttoned-up

adjective

but·​toned-up ˈbə-tᵊnd-ˈəp 

: coldly reserved or standoffish

a buttoned-up executive

Synonyms of buttoned-up

• detached
• distant
• cold
• cool
• reserved

Examples of buttoned-up in a Sentence

a buttoned-up colleague who had no interest in talking about anything but work, even at parties

Recent Examples on the Web

Butlers, once portrayed as buttoned-up, silver tray-carrying domestics, now manage complex staff, technology, security and logistics across multiple properties. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 10 July 2026

Angela Rayner Starmer is often criticized for being buttoned-up and lawyerly. — Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 May 2026

Aidala is folksy, while Agnifilo is more buttoned-up. — ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026

There's ample space across two floors—the taproom downstairs is looser, the parlor upstairs a bit more buttoned-up and spirits-oriented. — Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for buttoned-up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup