loner

noun

lon·​er ˈlō-nər 

1

: one that avoids others: such as

a

: a person who is often alone or likes to be alone : someone who usually avoids the company of others

He is a moody loner who doesn't become chummy with anyone.

—Sam Moses

Many rowers will agree that sculling is a sport for loners who relish the more quixotic elements of the sport.

—D. C. Churbuck

… she found that the image of the scientist as an antisocial loner is a myth …

—Warren E. Leary

b

: a typically solitary animal

Black bears are loners and usually wander by themselves in search of food.

—Mark Carwardine

Despite the fact they are loners, cats do have a well-organized social system based on scent marks and mutual avoidance.

—Fiona Sunquist

2

: individualist sense 1

Synonyms

• bohemian
• boho
• counterculturist
• deviant
• enfant terrible
• free spirit
• heretic
• iconoclast
• individualist
• lone ranger
• lone wolf
• maverick
• nonconformer
• nonconformist

Examples of loner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection In Elijah Bynum’s coming-of-age crime drama, a lanky loner is sent away to Cape Cod to spend the summer with his aunt. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2025

While Mathu is an ascetic loner, Malby was a hedonistic womanizer. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025

Look for people who are not loners, communicate well with peers and leaders, and are not afraid to raise issues and advocate for change. —Martin Zwilling, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

All of the victims have been loners with no friends or family ties. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for loner

• donor
• kroner
• kronor
• owner
• stoner
• toner
• homeowner
• landowner
• shipowner

Kids Definition

loner

noun

lon·​er ˈlō-nər 

: one that avoids others

especially : individualist sense 1