hermit

noun

her·​mit ˈhər-mət 

1

a

: one that retires from society and lives in solitude especially for religious reasons : recluse

b

obsolete : beadsman

2

: a spiced molasses cookie

hermitism

ˈhər-mə-ˌti-zəm 

noun

Synonyms of hermit

• recluse
• solitary
• isolate

Examples of hermit in a Sentence

St. Jerome is said to have spent two years as a hermit in the desert, searching for inner peace.

Recent Examples on the Web

In The Death of Robin Hood, Hugh Jackman plays the bandit of Nottingham, aged and retired to a hermit's life in the wilderness. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026

The hermit in me liked to stay home, the little vampire loved to step out. — Literary Hub, 12 Oct. 2026

The show centers on Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley), who has been living like something of a hermit since his girlfriend Clea disappeared without a trace seven years ago. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026

In this hilltop beyond the realm of agriculture, the hermit has installed himself, wearing goatskins and stinking of musk. — Max Norman, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English heremite, eremite, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin eremita, from Late Greek erēmitēs, from Greek, adjective, living in the desert, from erēmia desert, from erēmos desolate

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hermit

• hermit crab

Rhymes for hermit

• thermit

Kids Definition

hermit

noun

her·​mit ˈhər-mət 

1

: one that lives apart from others especially for religious reasons : recluse

2

: a spiced molasses cookie