reserved

1 of 2

adjective

re·​served ri-ˈzərvd 

1

: restrained in words and actions

2

: kept or set apart or aside for future or special use

reservedly

ri-ˈzər-vəd-lē 

adverb

reservedness

ri-ˈzər-vəd-nəs 

noun

reserved

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of reserve entry 1

Synonyms of reserved

Adjective

• silent
• restrained
• dumb

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

Adjective

She is a very reserved young woman.

The front row is reserved for faculty.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Aidaya has introduced SuiSui, a reserved ticketing system designed for restaurants, in which customers get priority entry by paying a fee separate from the meal cost. — Masayuki Oi Japan News, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026

Pour the sauce over the macaroni and toss, adding the reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time, as needed, to thin. — ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

In Paper Tiger, there’s something more reserved and gentle about him. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026

Add the fish, then drizzle each fillet with about 1 teaspoon of the reserved oil from the skillet. — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing reserved

• reserved power

Rhymes for reserved

• underserved
• undeserved
• unobserved
• unreserved
• conserved
• decurved
• deserved
• incurved
• observed
• preserved
• recurved
• subserved

Kids Definition

reserved

adjective

re·​served ri-ˈzərvd 

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

-ˈzər-vəd-lē 

adverb

reservedness

-ˈzər-vəd-nəs

noun