adj
C2
Proficient
recluse
rih-KLOOS
Recluse (adj) means living apart from others; withdrawn from society. Example: “The author lived a recluse life in a remote cabin.”
adj
1
Living apart from others; withdrawn from society.
"The author lived a recluse life in a remote cabin."
noun
1
A person who deliberately avoids other people and lives in isolation.
"After the scandal, he became a recluse, refusing all interviews."
How to use recluse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who withdraws from social life and lives alone, avoiding others.
Common pairings
a notorious recluse
live as a recluse
become a recluse
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- recluses
- Past tense
- reclused
- Comparative
- more recluse
- Superlative
- most recluse
Fill the gap
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The author lived a _____ life in a remote cabin.
Etymology
From Old French reclus, from Latin recludere, which oddly originally meant "to open" — the sense flipped over time to mean someone shut away from the world.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for recluse
See all rhymes for recluse →Frequently asked questions
What does “recluse” mean?
The word “recluse” means living apart from others; withdrawn from society. In plain terms, someone who withdraws from social life and lives alone, avoiding others.
How do you pronounce “recluse”?
“Recluse” is pronounced rih-KLOOS (/ɹɪˈkluːs/ in IPA).
How do you use “recluse” in a sentence?
Here is “recluse” used in a sentence: “The author lived a recluse life in a remote cabin.”
What is another word for “recluse”?
Words with a similar meaning to “recluse” include reclusive.
What part of speech is “recluse”?
Depending on how it is used, “recluse” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “recluse” come from?
The word “recluse” comes from Latin. From Old French reclus, from Latin recludere, which oddly originally meant "to open" — the sense flipped over time to mean someone shut away from the world.
How many meanings does “recluse” have?
“Recluse” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: living apart from others; withdrawn from society.
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