reclusive

adjective

re·​clu·​sive ri-ˈklü-siv 

-ziv

1

: seeking solitude : retiring from society

a reclusive neighbor

While Stephen King is far from reclusive, he doesn't spend much time promoting his horror-filled novels.

—Sarah Lyall

2

: marked by seclusion or retirement : solitary

… sit under the reclusive calm of the acacia tree.

—H. E. Bates

reclusively adverb

reclusiveness noun

Examples of reclusive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The film centers on Howard as reclusive author Elly Conway, whose best-selling espionage novels start to mirror the covert actions of a real-life spy organization. —Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2024

Naturally, things soon begin to go bump in the night in the reclusive author's remote home. —Megan McCluskey, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024

Thompson was reclusive, with little social media presence or even an obvious email account. —Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 17 Oct. 2024

The move is a sign that the reclusive country is readying to reopen borders to bigger groups of foreign tourists after years of strict Covid border controls. —Reuters, NBC News, 15 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 2