Reserved Definition & Meaning

American

British

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms reserved American [ri-zurvd] / rɪˈzɜrvd /

adjective

1. kept or set apart for some particular use or purpose.

2. kept by special arrangement for some person.

   a reserved seat.

3. formal or self-restrained in manner and relationship; avoiding familiarity or intimacy with others.

   a quiet, reserved man.

   Synonyms: composed, cold, distant, withdrawn, taciturn, constrained, reticent, controlled

4. characterized by reserve, as the disposition, manner, etc..

   reserved comments.

   Synonyms: composed, cold, distant, withdrawn, taciturn, constrained, reticent, controlled

5. retaining the original color of a surface, especially when decorating portions of the surface with other colors.

reserved British / rɪˈzɜːvd, rɪˈzɜːvɪdlɪ /

adjective

1. set aside for use by a particular person or people

   this table is reserved

2. cool or formal in manner; restrained, silent, or reticent

3. destined; fated

   reserved for great things

4. referring to matters that are the responsibility of the national parliament rather than a devolved regional assembly

   defence is a reserved issue

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

• overreserved adjective
• overreservedly adverb
• overreservedness noun
• reservedly adverb
• reservedness noun

Etymology

Origin of reserved

A late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; reserve, -ed 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It placed a large-scale tournament in a summer which was usually reserved for player recovery.

From BBC

She says many have questions about how the government's changes to EHCPs will work in practice, after the government confirmed they would only be reserved for children with the most complex needs by 2035.

From BBC

Now read: United Airlines’ best loyalty perks will soon be reserved for its cardholders.

From MarketWatch

Last year, he became just the fourth goalie in the last six decades to win the Hart Trophy, a prize reserved for the player most valuable to his team.

From The Wall Street Journal

Last Valentine’s Day, I mistakenly reserved a table at a fancy restaurant for the wrong Friday.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• aloof
• cautious
• composed
• distant
• modest
• peaceful
• placid
• quiet
• restrained
• reticent
• serene
• soft-spoken
• taciturn

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.