reclusive

USAGE SUMMARY

'reclusive' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is reluctant to have contact with other people or is content to stay alone, typically for religious or personal reasons. For example, "The hermit chose to live a reclusive life in the small cabin in the woods."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The resulting article was illustrated by some of the paintings and a shot of the Gloucestershire country house where they had been hidden for many years by a reclusive collector.

The Guardian - Arts

Berény spent several years as a young artist in Paris exhibiting alongside Henri Matisse, conversing with Gertrude Stein and even hosting the usually reclusive Hungarian composer Béla Bartók for Christmas.

The Guardian

It charts the violent death, in 1946 rural Kent, of a middle-aged reclusive woman, at a time when Britain's celebratory mood is muted by privation and rationing.

The Guardian - Books

Simmons has become something of a reclusive figure.

The Guardian - Sport

Whether out of guilt or some other reason, Hughes bought up all the copies of The Conqueror and reputedly watched it every night in his final, reclusive years.

The Guardian - Film

Cornelius Gurlitt Hildebrand's reclusive son inherited his father's art collection,and hid them behind tins of food at his home.

The Guardian

Kunstmuseum Bern confirmed on Wednesday it has been named the "unrestricted and unfettered sole heir" in the will of the reclusive collector Cornelius Gurlitt, who died on Tuesday.

The Guardian

Mr Firtash, the reclusive son of a truck driver and an accountant, made his fortune as a middleman helping sell Russian and Central Asian gas to Ukraine.

The Economist

The reclusive Las Vegas billionaire now owns 9.9% of GM, a stake which has so far lost him a great deal of money, at least on paper.

The Economist

It is enlivened by feuds and fallouts, with characters ranging from the reclusive Mr Choo to her "sadist" mother, her ex-husband (Matthew Mellon, scion of a banking family), her accountant, trust manager, private-equity partners and a fair few more.

The Economist

They found a sick old man living a reclusive life in a village in a house owned by his family.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reclusive", consider the specific reason for the person's isolation. Is it a chosen lifestyle, a result of shyness, or a consequence of circumstances?

Common error

Avoid using "reclusive" when simply describing someone who enjoys their own company. "Reclusive" implies a strong and deliberate avoidance of social interaction, not just a preference for solitude.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "reclusive" primarily functions to describe a person or entity that chooses to live in isolation, avoiding social interaction. Ludwig AI confirms that this word is often used to describe people who prefer privacy and seclusion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reclusive" is an adjective used to describe someone who prefers to live in isolation and avoids social interaction. Ludwig AI confirms it's a grammatically correct term and commonly used in writing. It is frequently found in news and media contexts. While "reclusive" is a fitting descriptor, alternatives like "isolated", "withdrawn", and "solitary" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember that "reclusive" suggests a deliberate choice to withdraw from society, distinguishing it from mere introversion or a preference for solitude.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hermitic

Implies a lifestyle resembling that of a hermit, similar to "reclusive" but often carries a spiritual connotation.

withdrawn

Emphasizes a detachment from social interaction, similar to "reclusive" but can also imply emotional unavailability.

cloistered

Relates to a life lived in seclusion, especially within a religious community, very similar to reclusive.

isolated

Focuses on the state of being apart from others, differing from "reclusive" which emphasizes the choice of isolation.

solitary

Highlights being alone, akin to "reclusive" but does not necessarily imply active avoidance of others.

secluded

Suggests being hidden away, like "reclusive" but focuses on physical location rather than behavior.

private

Highlights a desire for privacy and a lack of openness, similar to "reclusive" but less extreme.

antisocial

Indicates an aversion to social interaction, stronger than "reclusive" and can imply active dislike.

introverted

Describes someone who gains energy from being alone, whereas "reclusive" describes the active avoidance of others. Being introverted is a preference, reclusive is a way of life.

detached

Implies emotional distance and lack of involvement, distinct from the active avoidance implied by "reclusive".

FAQs

How to use "reclusive" in a sentence?

You can use "reclusive" to describe someone who avoids social interaction. For instance, "The artist became increasingly reclusive after achieving fame."

What can I say instead of "reclusive"?

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

What does it mean to lead a "reclusive" life?

Leading a "reclusive" life means choosing to live in isolation, avoiding social contact and preferring solitude over interaction with others. It suggests a deliberate decision to withdraw from society.

What's the difference between "reclusive" and "introverted"?

"Reclusive" describes someone who actively avoids social interaction, while "introverted" describes someone who gains energy from being alone. An introverted person might enjoy socializing but needs time alone to recharge, whereas a reclusive person actively avoids it.