tight-lipped

adjective

ˈtīt-ˈlipt 

1

: having the lips closed tight (as in determination)

2

: reluctant to speak : taciturn

Synonyms of tight-lipped

• silent
• reserved
• dumb
• restrained

Examples of tight-lipped in a Sentence

the cabinet official is usually tight-lipped about her private life

Recent Examples on the Web

Ternus is tight-lipped about how his approach to government affairs might differ from Cook’s. — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Right now, Character Technologies is staying tight-lipped about which assets might sell, with a spokesperson only reiterating prior statements from the company’s press release and court filings to Ars. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 13 Oct. 2026

Most of them appear straightforward enough, if a bit tight-lipped — for instance, 17A’s clue, [Taps], and 36A’s, [Paws]. — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Wedding attendees have mostly remained tight-lipped about any specifics from the ceremony and reception, including the bride and groom, who’ve not shared a single wedding portrait. — Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tight-lipped

• eucalypt
• manuscript
• nondescript
• superscript
• chipped
• clipped
• crypt
• dipped
• dripped
• flipped
• gripped
• hipped

Kids Definition

tight-lipped

adjective

-ˈlipt

1

: having the lips closed tight (as in determination)

2

: not liking to speak : taciturn