Recluse

usgb/ˈrekluːs/
noun

A person who avoids other people and prefers to live alone.

After his wife passed away, he became a recluse, hardly ever leaving his house.
Visual representation of "recluse" - A person who avoids other people and prefers to live alone

Often appears as...

  • social recluse
  • become a recluse
Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "recluse"
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Voluntary Isolation

Recluse emphasizes a choice to avoid social contact, not just being alone by circumstance.

Illustration for Voluntary Isolation
She wasn't lonely; as a recluse, she chose solitude.
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Negative Undertone

The term can imply a judgment; suggesting someone is a recluse might seem critical.

Illustration for Negative Undertone
Calling him a recluse was unfair, even if he enjoyed solitude.
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Not Always Total

A recluse might still interact occasionally, just less often than most people.

Illustration for Not Always Total
The village recluse would only come to town for essentials.
Visual representation of the word "Recluse"

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