What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
taciturn
Example
The taciturn man rarely spoke in public. [taciturn: adjective]
Example
She remained taciturn throughout the meeting, only speaking when necessary. [taciturn: adverb]
silent
Example
The room was silent except for the ticking of the clock. [silent: adjective]
Example
He remained silent during the entire conversation. [silent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Silent is more commonly used than taciturn in everyday language. Silent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while taciturn is less common and refers to a specific type of personality trait.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between taciturn and silent?
Both taciturn and silent are formal words, but taciturn is more likely to be used in formal writing or speech due to its specific meaning and connotation.
