tight-lipped

adjective

1
: having the lips closed tight (as in determination)
2
: reluctant to speak : taciturn

Examples of tight-lipped in a Sentence

the cabinet official is usually tight-lipped about her private life
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With the Tigers remaining tight-lipped on a potential trade for their ace, at least publicly, the Yankees would have to make a godfather offer to pry the superstar ace from their roster. Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025 Kelce has also kept tight-lipped on wedding details As for Kelce, the Super Bowl champion has not gone into detail about his future nuptials. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025 Daboll has been notoriously tight-lipped in news conferences during his four-year tenure. Dan Duggan, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 Franklin remained so tight-lipped that some wrote him off as a British spy. Stacy Schiff, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tight-lipped

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tight-lipped was in 1876

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tight-lipped.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tight-lipped. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

tight-lipped

adjective
-ˈlipt
1
: having the lips closed tight (as in determination)
2
: not liking to speak : taciturn
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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