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 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

Late in the novel, Noa, Nicole, and their newfound compatriots get into a van with a group of musical hermits who have fled to the mountains to escape the violence of Ecuadorian society. — Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026

The area was also chosen by artistic hermit squatters, known as Dunnites, who lived around nearby Oceano and Nipomo in the 1930s. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Tragedy has turned him into a hermit, but the ponderings from his cave are alluring. — Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 17 May 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