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

It is named after longtime local environmental and snowpack researcher billy barr, a reclusive mountain man who prefers spelling his name using lowercase letters. —Morgan Tilton, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2025

The notoriously reclusive singer took to X to signal (albeit lukewarm) support on Wednesday. —Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024

The story centers on Michael (Abbott), a reclusive farmer living with his ailing father Ray (Colm Meaney), whose ongoing conflict with rival farmer Gary (Paul Ready) and his unpredictable son Jack (Keoghan) escalates into a series of increasingly violent confrontations. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025

This normally reclusive species of spider is found across Europe in dark and damp habitats. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for reclusive

• abusive
• allusive
• collusive
• conclusive
• conducive
• delusive
• diffusive
• elusive
• exclusive
• extrusive
• illusive
• inclusive