What does seclusively mean?
Seclusively is a rare adverb meaning privately or in a secluded manner. It describes conduct or activity that takes place apart from other people, away from public attention or ordinary social contact. The word has a formal, elevated tone and may sound literary, archaic, or deliberately unusual in contemporary speech. For example, a writer might describe someone working seclusively in a quiet room or meeting a person privately before a public event. It should not be confused with exclusively, which means solely to the exclusion of others or in a narrowly limited sense, nor with secretively, which focuses on keeping something hidden. Although understandable and occasionally used for stylistic effect, seclusively is uncommon, so the simpler alternatives privately, in private, or secludedly are usually preferable in ordinary modern usage.
adverbIn a secluded or private manner; privately.
- Privately; in a secluded or isolated manner.
"She spent the afternoon seclusively reading in the garden."
"The researcher worked seclusively on the manuscript for several months."
"They met seclusively before the ceremony to avoid public attention."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does seclusively come from?
Seclusively was formed in English by adding the suffix -ly to the adjective secluded, which in turn derives from the Latin verb secludere. The Latin verb combines se-, meaning apart or away, with claudere, meaning to close, and developed the sense of excluding or shutting something off. Its English relatives include seclude, secluded, and seclusion.
Related word forms
How seclusively is actually used
This word is rare and literary, with a somewhat archaic or poetic character. In modern English, privately or in private usually sounds more natural.
Easily confused with seclusively
Secretively emphasizes concealment or discretion, whereas seclusively means in private or secluded circumstances.
Seclusively derives from seclude and means privately or in seclusion, while exclusively means only to the exclusion of others or in a limited sense.