reclusive

/rɪˈklusɪv/

/rɪˈklusɪv/

Other forms: reclusively

The adjective reclusive describes a desire for seclusion or privacy. A reclusive movie star is the one tabloid photographers dream of capturing on film.

The root word of reclusive is recluse, which came from the Old French word reclus, originally meaning "a person shut up from the world for purposes of religious meditation." Today, maybe you just want to be alone — reclusive describes a person who is withdrawn from society or seeks solitude, like a hermit. Grocery shopping late at night is a reclusive habit, because few people are in the store then.

Definitions of reclusive

1. adjective

   withdrawn from society; seeking solitude
   “lived an unsocial reclusive life”

   synonyms: recluse, withdrawn

   unsocial

   not seeking or given to association; being or living without companions
2. adjective

   providing privacy or seclusion
   “sitting under the reclusive calm of a shade tree”

   synonyms: cloistered, secluded, sequestered

   private

   confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy