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

Jason Kohler, 21, who went to the same high school, told CNN that Crooks was bullied by other students and seemed to be a loner. —Casey Tolan, CNN, 14 July 2024

Who’s Watching tells the unsettling story of Caleb, a metalhead loner who becomes obsessed with his co-worker, Krista. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2024

Former peers who have spoken out since he was shot dead by Secret Service agents have characterized the Pennsylvania resident as a quiet loner. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 9 Aug. 2024

Loughner was apolitical, a loner who vented his growing anger, rage and alienation on social media posts and in gaming chat rooms. —Sean Holstege, The Arizona Republic, 13 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

loner

noun

lon·​er ˈlō-nər 

: one that avoids others

especially : individualist sense 1