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

Conor’s reclusive self is now replaced by a questing self — one that involves pushing a lot of the fear of other people and new experiences aside, perhaps opening himself up more closely to the world back at home. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2025

The pic is a trippy genre movie that follows reclusive rock star Moretti (John Malkovich), who emerges after being decades away to invite a group of journalists to his cult compound. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025

The company’s rapid rise is driven by Liang Wenfeng, a reclusive hedge fund mogul fixated on advanced technologies. —Yue Wang, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2025

Investigators’ attention was immediately drawn to the Rogers’ reclusive adult son, Charles Rogers, who vanished before police arrived at the home, police told KHOU-TV at the time. —Sean Neumann, People.com, 25 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 2