WordGarden.iohermit
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈɜːmɪt/
US
- /ˈhɜrmət/
Meanings
Noun
a person who lives alone and avoids other people
a religious person who lives in solitude for spiritual reasons
a hermit crab
Beyond the definition
Imagine someone who deliberately chooses to live apart from other people. They are not always hiding from something; often, they are simply seeking peace and solitude. In history, such people were often religious figures who went into the wilderness for prayer and quiet thought. Think of monks living in caves or on remote mountains. Today, "hermit" can also describe anyone who lives in strong isolation, usually by choice. A true hermit is not just lonely; they prefer being alone. You might say an eccentric inventor lives like a hermit in their workshop, fully absorbed in their creations.
A hermit is a person who withdraws from society and lives a solitary life, often for religious reasons or simply by personal preference. The word evokes images of someone living in seclusion—perhaps a cabin in the woods, a cave on a mountainside, or even just a very private home where they rarely receive visitors.
The word comes from a Greek root connected with the desert or lonely places, reflecting the lives of early religious seekers who went into isolation for prayer and contemplation. Early Christian hermits were often seen as people of wisdom and deep faith. Although the word still carries that religious background, it is now also used more broadly for anyone who chooses to live apart from most social life.
A hermit isn't necessarily antisocial or unfriendly; they simply prioritize solitude over social interaction. They might be content with their own company, finding fulfillment in nature, study, or creative pursuits. However, the lifestyle can also stem from trauma, grief, or a desire to escape the pressures of modern life.
You might describe someone as "living like a hermit" if they rarely leave their home or interact with others. In literature and folklore, hermits often serve as wise guides or mysterious figures who offer insight to those seeking it. Think of the old man living in the mountains who holds ancient knowledge. So, whether driven by faith, philosophy, or personal choice, a hermit is defined by their deliberate embrace of solitude.
Examples
- 1
Solitary living
A hermit lived in a cave above the village for nearly twenty years.
- 2
Fiction
In the novel, she leaves the city and lives like a hermit in the woods.
- Phraselive like a hermit
live very alone and away from other people
- 3
Social habits
Since he started working from home, he's become a bit of a hermit and rarely goes out.
- 4
Studying
After three weeks of studying for finals, I felt like a hermit who had forgotten how to talk to people.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- anchorite
- solitary
- misanthrope
Contrast
- socialite
- community member
Used with (collocations)
- live like a hermit
- become a hermit
- hermit lifestyle
Word family
- hermitage
- hermitic
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- hermitnoun
Forms
- hermitspluralnoun