seclusion

noun

se·​clu·​sion si-ˈklü-zhən 

1

: the act of secluding : the condition of being secluded

2

: a secluded or isolated place

seclusive

si-ˈklü-siv 

-ziv

adjective

seclusively adverb

seclusiveness noun

Did you know?

With its prefix se-, "apart", seclusion has the basic meaning of a place or condition that's "closed away". A lone island may be secluded, and its seclusion might be what its owner prizes most about it. Presidents and their staffs may go into seclusion before making critical decisions. Monastery life is purposely secluded, and monks may have taken vows to live lives of seclusion. The deadly brown recluse spider prefers seclusion but is sometimes disturbed by very unlucky people.

Synonyms

• aloneness
• insulation
• isolation
• privacy
• secludedness
• segregation
• separateness
• sequestration
• solitariness
• solitude

Choose the Right Synonym for seclusion

solitude, isolation, seclusion mean the state of one who is alone.

solitude may imply a condition of being apart from all human beings or of being cut off by wish or circumstances from one's usual associates.

a few quiet hours of solitude

isolation stresses detachment from others often involuntarily.

the isolation of the village in winter

seclusion suggests a shutting away or keeping apart from others often connoting deliberate withdrawal from the world or retirement to a quiet life.

lived in pastoral seclusion

Examples of seclusion in a Sentence

the seclusion of women that occurs in some countries

I enjoyed the seclusion of the island.

Recent Examples on the Web

The bill would make those facilities — the kind where troubled kids, often those from foster care, are sent — report the seclusion or restraint to the child’s guardian or parent, as well as require the state to have a public dashboard that shows how often each facility uses such measures. —Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024

The school moved to San Diego from Pasadena a half-century ago, quietly settling on a 90-acre piece of coastline whose seclusion fit the Nazarenes’ meditative nature. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2024

These days, Kastellorizo attracts a cosmopolitan creative set looking for seclusion, serenity and the liberating simplicity afforded by an island where beauty is everywhere but very little to do. —Rachel Howard, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Feb. 2024

Then in late 2021, something new happened: Bean’s seclusion numbers started dropping. —Paige Pfleger, ProPublica, 16 Nov. 2023

What to Consider The high-energy property may not be ideal for travelers seeking seclusion. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2024

The state has since created an alternative known as Short Term Residential Therapeutic Programs but the use of seclusion rooms and restraints on minors still occurs, according to Grove’s office. —Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Venus aligning with Uranus promotes working in seclusion. —USA TODAY, 28 Mar. 2024

Other estate amenities include tall hedges and tropical plantings that amp up the home’s feeling of seclusion. —James McClain, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin seclusion-, seclusio, from Latin secludere

First Known Use

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing seclusion

• in seclusion

Kids Definition

seclusion

noun

se·​clu·​sion si-ˈklü-zhən 

1

: the act of secluding : the state of being secluded

2

: a secluded place

seclusive

-siv 

-ziv

adjective

seclusively adverb

seclusiveness noun