hermit
HUR-miht
Hermit (noun) means a person who lives alone, away from other people, often by choice. Example: “He became something of a hermit after retiring to the mountains.”
noun
1
A person who lives alone, away from other people, often by choice.
"He became something of a hermit after retiring to the mountains."
"The old hermit had not spoken to another person in years."
2
A small creature that lives inside a borrowed shell, i.e. a hermit crab.
"The children found a hermit scuttling across the sand."
How to use hermit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who deliberately lives away from other people, often in isolation.
Common pairings
live like a hermit
become a hermit
hermit crab
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Word forms
- Plural
- hermits
Fill the gap
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He became something of a _____ after retiring to the mountains.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek erēmítēs ("person of the desert"), via Old French eremite and Late Latin eremita.
Related words
Rhymes for hermit
See all rhymes for hermit →Frequently asked questions
What does “hermit” mean?
The word “hermit” means a person who lives alone, away from other people, often by choice. In plain terms, someone who deliberately lives away from other people, often in isolation.
How do you pronounce “hermit”?
“Hermit” is pronounced HUR-miht (/ˈhɝmɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “hermit” in a sentence?
Here is “hermit” used in a sentence: “He became something of a hermit after retiring to the mountains.”
What part of speech is “hermit”?
“Hermit” is a noun.
Where does the word “hermit” come from?
The word “hermit” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek erēmítēs ("person of the desert"), via Old French eremite and Late Latin eremita.
Is “hermit” a common word?
“Hermit” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “hermit” have?
“Hermit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who lives alone, away from other people, often by choice.
