SKIP TO CONTENT

troglodyte

/ˌtrɑgləˈdaɪt/
IPA guide

Other forms: troglodytes

A troglodyte is a person who lives all alone, in seclusion. You could call this type a "hermit" or a "recluse," but it's more fun to say troglodyte.

Troglodyte is formed from the Greek words trogle, "hole", and dyein, "to dive into." The word translates to mean "he who dwells in caves." While a troglodyte can be what we think of as a pre-historic caveman, it also means someone who lives in any sort of tiny, unkempt house. Nowadays, a troglodyte generally refers to someone who lives alone, like a hermit. If you don’t mind having a dirty hole for a home, then perhaps you are a troglodyte.

Definitions of troglodyte
  1. noun
    one who lives in solitude
    see moresee less
    examples:
    St. John the Baptist
    (New Testament) a preacher and hermit and forerunner of Jesus (whom he baptized); was beheaded by Herod at the request of Salome
    type of:
    lone hand, lone wolf, loner
    a person who avoids the company or assistance of others
  2. noun
    a bad-mannered person with ignorant or outdated ideas
    see moresee less
    type of:
    disagreeable person, unpleasant person
    a person who is not pleasant or agreeable
  3. noun
    someone who lives in a cave
    see moresee less
    type of:
    primitive, primitive person
    a person who belongs to an early stage of civilization
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘troglodyte'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family