loner

noun

lon·​er ˈlō-nər 

1

: one that avoids others: such as

a

: a person who is often alone or likes to be alone : someone who usually avoids the company of others

He is a moody loner who doesn't become chummy with anyone.

—Sam Moses

Many rowers will agree that sculling is a sport for loners who relish the more quixotic elements of the sport.

—D. C. Churbuck

… she found that the image of the scientist as an antisocial loner is a myth …

—Warren E. Leary

b

: a typically solitary animal

Black bears are loners and usually wander by themselves in search of food.

—Mark Carwardine

Despite the fact they are loners, cats do have a well-organized social system based on scent marks and mutual avoidance.

—Fiona Sunquist

2

: individualist sense 1

Synonyms

• maverick
• bohemian
• individualist
• eccentric

Examples of loner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the midst of the life-or-death chaos, Arisu grows closer to Usagi (Tao Tsuchiya), an athletic loner mourning the death of her mountain climber father. —Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Sep. 2025

Kimberly Weinberger stars as Connie, a cautious, mildly depressive woman in a dead-end relationship with an older man, and Alex Chernow plays Tristan, a fiery, almost childlike loner with secrets. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Sep. 2025

The Baileys had sharply different personalities, with Maralyn being outgoing and optimistic compared to the socially awkward loner Maurice. —Susan Young, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025

Tranter is something of a loner, and right from the start he is presented as something of a rebel, albeit a leader who looks after his men. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for loner

• donor
• kroner
• kronor
• owner
• stoner
• toner
• homeowner
• landowner
• shipowner

Kids Definition

loner

noun

lon·​er ˈlō-nər 

: one that avoids others

especially : individualist sense 1