What does it mean to be a recluse?

To be a recluse means to live in seclusion, which refers to a person who deliberately chooses to stay away from social interactions and prefers solitude over companionship. This choice often stems from a desire for privacy or a need to escape from the complexities of social life. A recluse may choose to live in a remote area, minimize face-to-face interactions, and retreat from societal expectations. The essence of the term captures a lifestyle marked by withdrawal, making the first choice the most fitting definition. The other options describe different traits or behaviors that do not encompass the specific meaning associated with recluses.