🇬🇧🇨🇳 restrained - 克制 : English Lesson

Meaning of "restrained" ("克制"), detailed definition, and a short video lesson below.

Restrained describes someone or something that is held back, not too loud, or carefully controlled. A restrained person doesn’t show extreme emotions, and a restrained action is done in a careful or quiet way. It can also mean physically held in place, like a dog on a leash or a person tied to a chair in a movie scene.

Watch and listen to this English flashcard to understand the word in more detail, with an easy example sentence.

My dog is very restrained—until he hears the word “walk,” then all chaos breaks loose.

I wanted to scream when I saw a spider, but I remained restrained… until it moved.

I was restrained in my excitement for cake, meaning I only asked about it five times.

My attempt at a restrained response to my friend’s joke failed when I snorted milk out of my nose.

The dog tried to stay restrained, but the moment he saw a squirrel, he was gone.

A small dog sat with a restrained tail, its jump restrained by a tight leash. The owner offered cake with a restrained smile, voice restrained but warm. Even the colors on the table were restrained, soft and calm. Guests kept their hands restrained until the cut. Relief and quiet joy filled the room.

This word is at the C2 level, which means it represents the highest mastery of English. It’s often used in specialized or highly formal contexts and helps you communicate with precision and subtlety, much like a native speaker.

Expanding your English vocabulary is one of the best ways to improve your pronunciation, spelling, and confidence in English. Watch the video above to memorize the word, understand its meaning, and see example sentences in action. Discover related words to grow your vocabulary naturally. Add words to your playlist for stress-free, effective learning—anytime, anywhere! Watch, learn, repeat.