reclusive

adjective

re·​clu·​sive ri-ˈklü-siv How to pronounce reclusive (audio)
-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
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In one segment, Siblings Jeff and Emily (Adam Driver and Mayim Bialik) check in on their reclusive father (Tom Waits) in rural New Jersey. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 July 2025 Adam Driver and Mayim Bialik play siblings who check up on their reclusive father, played by Tom Waits, in rural New Jersey. Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025 In it, the Alchemist convinces a reluctant and reclusive Gibbs to return to Tokyo from the mountains. Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 17 July 2025 Her one visit to French Lick likely came around 1938 when the famously reclusive film star wanted to avoid newspaper reporters during her train’s Chicago layover. Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for reclusive

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of reclusive was in 1600

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Cite this Entry

“Reclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reclusive. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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