3

What is the equivalent word for a person who doesn't want to communicate to share any of his/her secrets, life's stories or personal information?

Need some words related to the above described description...

Improve this question

5 Answers 5

Reset to default
7

This person would be called private.

"Private" is used to describe not only information, but also people who don't share personal information freely.

There are a variety of expressions to describe someone who does not wish to disclose other types of information, such as "secretive," "tight-lipped," and "discreet." However, "private" seems the best for the situation you've described.

Two other possible candidates are unforthcoming and guarded.

From Oxford Dictionaries online:

private

1.3 (Of a person) choosing not to reveal their thoughts and feelings to others: he was a very private man

unforthcoming

1 (Of a person) not willing to divulge information: the sergeant seemed unforthcoming, so he enquired at the gate

guarded

Cautious and having possible reservations: he has given a guarded welcome to the idea

Improve this answer
5
  • 1
    Thank you for your answer... How about reticent? What does it meant and will it suit my description?
    – cuSK
    Commented Nov 17, 2014 at 21:25
  • Yes, "reticent" is a good word as well. We could certainly add that to the list, although I feel it's used a bit more generally to describe a person who is typically quiet.
    – Rusty Tuba
    Commented Nov 17, 2014 at 21:27
  • Oh my..! I think I've made my actual question wrong. I want to know person who doesn't want to communicate his feelings and thoughts... Can you say some other words with this meaning? Please.
    – cuSK
    Commented Nov 17, 2014 at 21:30
  • Please don't remove/erase the current answer... It's a vocabulary of words I've been looking for a long time...
    – cuSK
    Commented Nov 17, 2014 at 21:32
  • 2
    I think "private" still applies, as per the definition. It doesn't show a general disinclination to speaking or conversing, as some of the adjectives indicating shyness do, but rather a disinclination to share personal feelings and information.
    – Rusty Tuba
    Commented Nov 17, 2014 at 21:40
2

We often call such a person a very private person.

One very private person was Josephine Tey.

Improve this answer
1
  • I'm looking for a single word...
    – cuSK
    Commented Nov 17, 2014 at 21:19
2

That person might be closed or guarded.

Improve this answer
1
  • Welcome to EL&U. Your answer would be improved if you could explain why those terms are appropriate, for example, by excerpting dictionary definitions. I encourage you to review the help center for guidance on submitting good answers.
    – choster
    Commented Nov 18, 2014 at 4:24
2

We might call this person reserved:

formal or self-restrained in manner and relationship; avoiding familiarity or intimacy with others: a quiet, reserved man.

Improve this answer
1

An adjective is secretive ( person):

  • Having or marked by an inclination to secrecy; not open, forthright, or frank.

also , according to context, an introvert :

  • a shy person; a person concerned primarily with inner thoughts and feelings rather than with the physical or social environment.
Improve this answer
3
  • I'd never use introvert for this. That's sure only to offend introverts.
    – curiousdannii
    Commented Nov 17, 2014 at 22:56
  • 2
    @curiousdannii No, it doesn't, believe me.
    – Andrew Leach ♦
    Commented Nov 17, 2014 at 23:28
  • @AndrewLeach well it might not offend everyone, but I do get really annoyed when people misunderstand what introversion is. It has absolutely nothing to do with shyness, and shyness has absolutely nothing to do with being guarded!
    – curiousdannii
    Commented Nov 17, 2014 at 23:29

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .