recluse

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'recluse' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as a noun and means a person who lives a solitary life and avoids social contact. Example sentence: She had become a recluse since her husband's death, refusing to see anyone.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The film turns him from the engaging, often witty and openly gay man he really was into a socially dysfunctional recluse, unable to understand jokes and shamed by his own sexuality.

The Guardian - Film

■ Works by Chagall, Monet and Picasso were found in the home of the Munich recluse Cornelius Gurlitt on his death in 2012.

The Guardian - Arts

A recluse who hoarded a priceless art collection at his homes in Germany and Austria – including works possibly looted from Jewish owners by the Nazis – has for the first time agreed to hand back a piece of art, his representatives said on Wednesday.

The Guardian

In later years he disappeared so frequently from the American scene that he was often assumed to be dead, or living as a recluse in the woods somewhere.

The Economist

Now a police record found by Adam Hradilek, a historian at the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes, in Prague, suggests that it was one of those friends, the young Mr Kundera, who was the informer.Mr Kundera, a recluse for decades, insists that he had no involvement in the affair and is baffled by the document.

The Economist

Yet his reputation as an eccentric recluse has ensured his lasting fame.

The Economist

Hard as it would be for a recluse to win the presidency, it is harder still in the crosshairs of the Taliban.Mr Sayyaf also manages to rank very high on the league table of candidates whom America would most loathe to see elected.

The Economist

Although Jones's lively and amusing "Memoirs" reveal him as no recluse, his drawings rarely show people, not even for scale.

The Economist

"I'm going to get around, it's my lifeline," he says, seated in the presidential palace in Kabul where Mr Karzai spent 13 years as a virtual recluse.

The Economist

Not bad for a kid from the Bronx once regarded as a duffer at school.As the intervals between films lengthened (more than ten years between "Full Metal Jacket" and the still-in-production "Eyes Wide Shut"), his reputation as an eccentric and a recluse has grown.

The Economist

ONE day Hollywood will spin its yarns around Cornelius Gurlitt, the eccentric 80-year-old recluse who lived quietly for decades in a drab Munich flat amid towers of canned food and 1,406 stunning works of art.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as a "recluse", consider the reasons behind their isolation. Are they seeking spiritual enlightenment, avoiding social interaction due to personal issues, or simply preferring a quiet life? Adding context enhances understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "recluse" interchangeably with "introvert". A "recluse" actively avoids society, often due to specific reasons, while an "introvert" simply gains energy from solitude but still participates in social life.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "recluse" is as a noun, referring to a person who lives in solitude and avoids society. As Ludwig AI highlights, the examples illustrate its use in describing individuals like historical figures or fictional characters who have withdrawn from public life.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

35%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recluse" functions as a noun to describe an individual who lives in voluntary seclusion from society. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and widely used, appearing frequently in news, encyclopedias, and other diverse sources. While "recluse" and similar terms such as "hermit" and "solitary" share the notion of living apart from others, it's important to consider the specific reasons and context behind their isolation. Understanding the nuances ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hermit

This term emphasizes the solitary and often religious aspect of someone who withdraws from society.

solitary

Highlights the state of being alone, often by choice.

isolated individual

This phrase emphasizes the lack of connection with others.

withdrawn person

Focuses on the act of removing oneself from social interaction.

secluded person

Highlights the privacy and hidden nature of their life.

troglodyte

Suggests someone who lives in a primitive or secluded manner, often out of touch with modern society.

loner

A more informal term for someone who prefers to be alone.

solitudinarian

A formal and less common term for someone who prefers solitude.

person living in seclusion

This phrase emphasizes the act of living apart from society.

one who shuns society

Focuses on the active avoidance of social interaction.

FAQs

How to use "recluse" in a sentence?

You can use "recluse" to describe someone who lives a solitary life and avoids social contact. For example, "After the scandal, he became a "recluse", rarely leaving his home."

What can I say instead of "recluse"?

You can use alternatives like "hermit", "solitary", or "isolated individual" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "recluse" or "reclusive"?

"Recluse" is a noun referring to the person, while "reclusive" is an adjective describing the characteristic of being solitary. For example, "He is a recluse" versus "He leads a reclusive lifestyle."

What's the difference between "recluse" and "hermit"?

While both terms describe someone living in solitude, a "hermit" often does so for religious reasons, while a ""recluse"" may withdraw from society for various personal or psychological reasons.