Recluse vs. Solitary — What's the Difference?

A recluse is a person who lives in voluntary seclusion from the public and society. The word is from the Latin recludere, which means "shut up" or "sequester".

Existing, living, or going without others; alone

A person who lives a solitary life and tends to avoid other people

Happening, done, or made alone

Favouring a solitary life.

Remote from civilization; secluded

A person who withdraws from the world to live in seclusion and often in solitude.

(Zoology) Living alone or in pairs only

Withdrawn from the world; reclusive.

Single and set apart from others

Sequestered; secluded, isolated

A person who lives alone; a recluse.

Hidden, secret

Solitary confinement.

A person who lives in self-imposed isolation or seclusion from the world, especially for religious purposes; a hermit

(countable) One who lives alone, or in solitude; an anchorite, hermit or recluse.

(obsolete) the place where a recluse dwells; a place of isolation or seclusion

(uncountable) Solitary confinement.

(US) a brown recluse spider

(uncountable) The state of being solitary; solitude

(obsolete) to shut; to seclude

Living or being by oneself; alone; having no companion present

Shut up, sequestered; retired from the world or from public notice; solitary; living apart; as, a recluse monk or hermit; a recluse life

Performed, passed, or endured alone

A person who lives in seclusion from intercourse with the world, as a hermit or monk; specifically, one of a class of secluded devotees who live in single cells, usually attached to monasteries.

Not much visited or frequented; remote from society

The place where a recluse dwells.

Not inhabited or occupied; without signs of inhabitants or occupation; desolate; deserted

To shut up; to seclude.

Gloomy; dismal, because of not being inhabited.

One who lives in solitude

Single; individual; sole.

Withdrawn from society; seeking solitude;

(botany) Not associated with others of the same kind.

Living or being by one's self; having no companion present; being without associates; single; alone; lonely.

Performed, passed, or endured alone; as, a solitary journey; a solitary life.

Not much visited or frequented; remote from society; retired; lonely; as, a solitary residence or place.

Not inhabited or occupied; without signs of inhabitants or occupation; desolate; deserted; silent; still; hence, gloomy; dismal; as, the solitary desert.

Single; individual; sole; as, a solitary instance of vengeance; a solitary example.

Not associated with others of the same kind.

One who lives alone, or in solitude; an anchoret; a hermit; a recluse.

Confinement of a prisoner in isolation from other prisoners;

One who lives in solitude

Characterized by or preferring solitude in mode of life;

Of plants and animals; not growing or living in groups or colonies;

Lacking companions or companionship;

Enjoyed or performed alone;

Being the only one; single and isolated from others;

Separated from or unfrequented by others; remote or secluded;