The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word RECLUSE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
R
E
C
L
U
S
E
More clues leading to the result RECLUSE
- Loner in sports ground, learner needing exercise
- One isolated from Conservative Left entering new employment
- One's not involved regarding items for detective, seeing twist at the end
- Hermit crab useless without bass, sadly
- Publicity-shy individual burst ulcer on seaside vacation
- Hermit — as regards one of these, solitude initially welcomed?
- Ruin immoral-sounding hermit
- Solitary type referring to sign welcoming son
- Alter something like this to house son who lives alone?
- Withdrawn figure in park by lake before exercise
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Loner" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case loner = recluse.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does RECLUSE mean?
RECLUSE noun- A person who lives in self-imposed isolation or seclusion from the world, especially for religious purposes; a hermit
- The place where a recluse dwells; a place of isolation or seclusion
- A brown recluse spider
- To shut; to seclude
- Sequestered; secluded, isolated
- Hidden, secret