noun
-
the act of secluding or the state of being secluded
-
a secluded place
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of seclusion
1615–25; < Medieval Latin sēclūsiōn- (stem of sēclūsiō ) < Latin sēclūs ( us ) (past participle of sēclūdere to seclude ) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
Seclusion means being separate, and apart from others, in a quiet kind of way. If you want seclusion, try a private island. The word seclusion implies privacy as well as separateness. An island with no other islands around it or a cabin in the middle of a forest will offer you seclusion if you need to get away from other people. Some nations have a policy of seclusion — they do not allow people, products, or ideas to cross their borders and enter the country.
Vocabulary lists containing seclusion
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Case Closed: Clud, Clus
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Aretha Franklin (1942 - 2018) Tribute List
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In “The Oyster Diaries,” Delery runs into Claude, a “portly fifty-year-old” living in seclusion in an overgrown plantation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026
“This is more than a home… it’s a private sanctuary, brought back to life with care, style, and enduring character. A rare opportunity for those seeking space, seclusion, and authentic Spanish charm.”
From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026
Mitch returns to seclusion but is finally able to write poetry again.
From Salon • Feb. 5, 2026
Fletcher spent the next year in near-total seclusion, largely unable to leave his house due to light and sound sensitivity.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 12, 2025
Their seclusion helps keep the neighborhood safe, which is important to the Links.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
