1. a person who lives alone and apart from others, especially for religious reasons
2. a person who prefers to live in isolation and avoids social contact

Examples

• The old hermit lived alone in a cave in the mountains.
• After retiring, he became something of a hermit, rarely leaving his house.
• The hermit spent his days in prayer and meditation.
• She was known as the neighborhood hermit because she never spoke to anyone.
• The ancient hermit had not seen another person in years.
• He chose to live like a hermit to escape the pressures of modern life.