recluse
/ɹɪˈkluːs/
Group 31Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (noun)
- A person who lives a solitary life and tends to avoid other people GRE
Example in Context
The literary recluse had not granted an interview in twenty years, communicating with the outside world only through her publisher.
Synonyms
lonerhermitintrovert
Etymology
Someone who closes themselves off from others and lives away from society.
- re- (Latin) — back
- claudere (Latin) — to close
Memory Aid
🏡Sounds like “re-clue-s”
A detective who refuses to give any clues while hiding in his house — he’s a total RECLUSE!
Visual Association
🌲A hermit nestled in a cozy cabin deep in the woods, avoiding all visitors.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “recluse” mean on the GRE?
recluse (noun) means “A person who lives a solitary life and tends to avoid other people”. The literary recluse had not granted an interview in twenty years, communicating with the outside world only through her publisher.
How to remember “recluse” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “recluse” sounds like “re-clue-s”. A detective who refuses to give any clues while hiding in his house — he’s a total RECLUSE!
What are synonyms for “recluse”?
Common synonyms: loner, hermit, introvert.