lone wolf

American  

[lohn woolf] / ˈloʊn ˈwʊlf /

noun

1. a person who prefers to live, act, or work alone or independent of others.

2. a criminal who acts alone (often used attributively).

   lone-wolf terrorists.

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lone wolf British  

noun

1. a person who prefers to be alone

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lone wolf Idioms  

1. A person who prefers to do without the company or assistance of others. For example, Her nursery school teacher described Beth as a lone wolf, an assessment her parents found astonishing. This expression alludes to the tendency of some species of wolf to hunt alone rather than in packs. [c. 1900]

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Etymology

Origin of lone wolf

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

"We feel like we're as safe as we can possibly be. But we can't control, you know, the lone wolf," Mullin told "Fox and Friends" on Thursday, hours before the nearly six-week tournament opened.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

"They seem to think he was a lone wolf, and I feel that too," the president said.

From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026

Mr Rowe said he was questioned by police while in custody and it "felt like they'd gone out that day expecting to catch some kind of lone wolf attacker".

From BBC • Aug. 6, 2025

So yeah, I think now the current misconception is that he was a lone wolf acting alone.

From Salon • Aug. 28, 2024

He ran head down, low to the ground—in the manner of the lone wolf.

From "Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George