lone wolf

noun

: a person who prefers to work, act, or live alone

lone-wolf

ˈlōn-ˌwu̇lf 

adjective

Synonyms of lone wolf

• bohemian
• maverick
• lone ranger
• free spirit
• enfant terrible

Examples of lone wolf in a Sentence

He had the reputation of being a lone wolf in high school.

a lone wolf in the art world, he has his own style and paints only to please himself

Recent Examples on the Web

Yeah, Sam has been a lone wolf, sort of a samurai, traveling the world on very high-stakes solo missions in all parts of the globe in dangerous hotspots. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

This was the work of two lone wolves who decided to set off a bomb at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

However, Rhea left a GIF of a lone wolf on one of Moreno’s TikTok videos less than two weeks after the series wrapped. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026

The policies, which treated the attackers as lone wolves, were thought to have successfully avoided escalation. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lone wolf

• beowulf
• werewolf

Kids Definition

lone wolf

noun

: a person who prefers to act, live, or work alone : loner