retiring

Adjective
US[rih-tahy-ring]/rɪˈtaɪrɪŋ/3–4 syllablesalso [ree-tahy-er-ing] /riˈtaɪɚɪŋ/, [ree-tahy-ring] /riˈtaɪrɪŋ/
Synonyms: unassumingpastprecedingreticentself-effacing

Open English WordNet

Adjective (3)

  1. not arrogant or presuming“unassuming to a fault, skeptical about the value of his work”“a shy retiring girl”Synonyms: unassumingOpposite immodestSimilar modest
  2. of a person who has held and relinquished a position or office“a retiring member of the board”Synonyms: pastprecedingOpposite incomingSimilar outgoing
  3. reluctant to draw attention to yourselfSynonyms: reticentself-effacingOpposite assertiveSimilar unassertive
Word of the day · Oct 15About this word
exemplaryadjective

What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz

Advertisement

Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Re·tir′ing adjective

1. Reserved; shy; not forward or obtrusive; as, retiring modesty; retiring manners.

2. Of or pertaining to retirement; causing retirement; suited to, or belonging to, retirement.

Retiring board Military, a board of officers who consider and report upon the alleged incapacity of an officer for active service. — Retiring pension, a pension granted to a public officer on his retirement from office or service.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

Advertisement