Reclusive Meaning
/ɹɪˈkluːsɪv/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjOf, characterized by, or preferring privacy and isolation; secluded.
Sentence Examples
North Korea’s reclusive leader visits Russia for talks on energy.
North Korea is a reclusive country.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The famous author rarely left his home, living a ____ life that kept him away from crowds.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ author had not given an interview in over twenty years and refused all media requests.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree English recluse Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder. Latin -īvus Old French -ifbor. Middle English -yf English -ive English reclusive From recluse + -ive.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Kim Jong-il, who has died aged 69, was the general secretary of the Workers party of Korea, and head of the military in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). He was one of the most reclusive and widely condemned national leaders of the late 20th and early 21st century, leaving his country diplomatically isolated, economically broken and divided from South Korea."
— 2011 December 19, Kerry Brown, “Kim Jong-il obituary”, in The Guardian:
"And if it sort not well, you may conceal her,
As best befits her wounded reputation,
In some reclusive and religious life,
Out of all eyes, tongues, minds and injuries."
— 1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The famous author rarely left his home, living a ____ life that kept him away from crowds.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ author had not given an interview in over twenty years and refused all media requests.