retiring
retiringly
If you are a retiring person, you avoid being at the center of attention. You can often be found in the library and other quiet places, and if someone compliments you, you're likely to blush and change the subject.
If you call someone retiring, it isn't necessarily clear whether you mean it as a compliment or something closer to a put-down. Usually, the word is used to describe someone who is shy or modest to a fault. But it can also be used to suggest that someone isn't arrogant, which is usually a good thing. And, of course, retiring can also refer to someone who stepped down from their last job and doesn't intend to work anymore.
-
of a person who has held and relinquished a position or office
-
not arrogant or presuming“a shy retiring girl”
-
synonyms:
unassuming
-
modest
marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
-
modest
-
reluctant to draw attention to yourself
-
synonyms:
reticent, self-effacing
-
unassertive
inclined to timidity or lack of self-confidence
-
unassertive
Vocabulary lists containing retiring
As World War II looms, seventeen-year-old Cassie Logan and her brothers experience the trials and tribulations of growing up and face shocking racial violence.
This classic novel explores social class and conventions in early 20th-century England. Read the full text here.
In this 19th-century novel, a drawing teacher unravels a complicated mystery involving mistaken identity and family secrets. Read the full text here.
Look up retiring for the last time
Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the words you need to know.
