reclusive

adjective

re·​clu·​sive ri-ˈklü-siv 

-ziv

1

: seeking solitude : retiring from society

a reclusive neighbor

While Stephen King is far from reclusive, he doesn't spend much time promoting his horror-filled novels.

—Sarah Lyall

2

: marked by seclusion or retirement : solitary

… sit under the reclusive calm of the acacia tree.

—H. E. Bates

reclusively adverb

reclusiveness noun

Examples of reclusive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival and earned a six-minute standing ovation, Fraser plays a reclusive writing professor, Charlie, attempting to reconnect with his estranged daughter. —Diana Pearl, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Also new to the list and appearing at No. 5: the Krishnan family, heirs of a telecom-to-energy empire built by reclusive billionaire Ananda Krishnan, who died in November at age 86. —Anu Raghunathan, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

The usually reclusive Chapman is making the media rounds to promote the re-release of the album that brought her widespread recognition. —Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025

Continue reading … ‘TRAGIC MYSTERY’ – Gene Hackman's friends open up about 'reclusive' behavior before his death. —Fox News, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for reclusive

• abusive
• allusive
• collusive
• conclusive
• conducive
• delusive
• diffusive
• elusive
• exclusive
• extrusive
• illusive
• inclusive