# hermit

/ˈhɝmət/ (US) · /hˈɜːmɪt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hermit
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a person who lives alone and stays away from other people. You use this for someone who chooses a quiet life, often for religious reasons or because they like being alone.

For teachers: a person living in solitude as a religious discipline or by personal choice. Often used metaphorically to describe anyone who avoids social interaction.

## Examples

- He became a hermit after he retired from his job.
- After years of living in the busy city, she moved to a remote cabin and lived like a hermit.
- While some historical hermits sought spiritual enlightenment through isolation, modern usage often applies the term to individuals who withdraw from society to escape the relentless pace of digital connectivity.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the verb 'to live like' or 'to become'.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.