Withdrawn describes someone who has pulled back from social interaction and become quiet, distant, or emotionally closed off. A withdrawn student might sit alone at lunch, avoid eye contact, and give short answers when teachers ask questions, even though they used to be friendly and talkative. When someone becomes withdrawn, they retreat inward, like a turtle pulling into its shell.

People withdraw for different reasons. Sometimes withdrawal happens after a difficult experience: losing a friend, moving to a new school, or dealing with family troubles. Other times, certain personalities are naturally more withdrawn, preferring solitude and quiet reflection to constant social activity. There's a difference between someone who's simply introverted and enjoys alone time and someone who's become withdrawn due to sadness, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed.

Teachers and parents often notice when a normally outgoing child becomes withdrawn, because the change in behavior signals that something might be wrong. A withdrawn person has pulled away in a way that suggests inner struggle or unhappiness, often accompanied by a noticeable change from their usual behavior.

The word can also mean removed or taken back, as when a library book is withdrawn from circulation or an athlete withdraws from a competition.