Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The word "taciturn" describes a person who is habitually reserved, saying very little and preferring silence over conversation.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- A taciturn person is typically uncommunicative, untalkative, or reticent.
- Comparing the options: "Talkative" is an antonym. "Cheerful" and "Friendly" are personality traits that do not necessarily correlate with silence. "Silent" is the closest synonym because it directly describes the lack of verbal output.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The word closest in meaning to taciturn is Silent.