loner

[ loh-ner ]

noun

1. a person who is or prefers to be alone, especially one who avoids the company of others:

   He was always a loner—no one knew him well.

loner

/ ˈləʊnə /

noun

1. informal.
   a person or animal who avoids the company of others or prefers to be alone

Word History and Origins

Origin of loner¹

First recorded in 1945–50; lone + -er ¹

Example Sentences

With the co-production between Latvia, France and Belgium, Zilbalodis went from being a jack-of-all-trades to forming his own production company — thereby mirroring the loner cat’s sudden need to work in a team environment.

From Los Angeles Times

“All of the characters are coven-less witches so we are all loners, misfits and bandits who come together for this common goal of achieving our dreams,” said Zamata.

From Los Angeles Times

She always seemed a bit of a loner.

From BBC

“I had some friends, but I was very much of a loner,” Duthiers said of his youth spent mostly in the New York area.

From Los Angeles Times

Glowering loners staring at the two women under 40 like cats watching birds out a window.

From Salon

Related Words

• hermit
• outsider