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I always thought that anti-social describes someone who keeps to themselves. But according to Wikipedia, anti-social is not the right word. What, then, is the correct word to describe someone who prefers to keep to themselves, avoids parties and get-togethers? I'm not looking for the absolutely precise medical term for a mental illness (because such behavior may not in fact be an illness), just an informal word.

Example:
- Where is John? Is he going out with us for dinner?
- Nah, he's probably watching Netflix in his room. He tends to be [ ].

Addendum
When most people say anti-social in an informal context, are just referring to someone keeping to themselves, or are they in fact suggesting their conscience is in question (which is a symptom of the Antisocial Personality Disorder)?

Tosh
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    Introvert? Lone wolf? – NVZ Mar 04 '16 at 08:17
  • One question per post is the policy of Stack Exchange. Please delete the addendum and post a separate question if you want. But remember you have to include your own research efforts in a question. Please make sure you take the tour and visit our help center for additional guidance. –  Mar 04 '16 at 08:25
  • I've never heard anti-social by itself being used in a clinical sense - only in A-S PD. Anti-social is a (tiny) (little) bit stronger than "likes to keep to themselves" and has a tiny hint of condemnation/disapproval - but barely noticable and could refer to local rather than global characteristic. – A.S. Mar 04 '16 at 08:31
  • Related question, What is a word for someone who prefers to be lonely?. –  Mar 04 '16 at 09:13
  • @Rathony thanks for letting me know about the guidelines. It looks like there are quite a few answers addressing the secondary question, so deleting it may be a little late for me at this point. I'll keep this in mind in the future though. And thanks for the question link. – Tosh Mar 04 '16 at 09:54
  • @A.S. What do you mean by local and global characteristics? Does it mean it applies to this person only at a specific time rather than something chronic? – Tosh Mar 04 '16 at 09:56
  • Yes. Non-clinically it is frequently used in the local sense. Here is google's second meaning: not sociable; not wanting the company of others. synonyms: unsociable, unfriendly, uncommunicative, reclusive, withdrawn, avoidant; informal standoffish "I'm feeling a bit antisocial". – A.S. Mar 04 '16 at 10:14
  • antisocial really means when someone has sociopathic tendencies. – user265005 Nov 02 '17 at 16:56

4 Answers4

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Loner

Merriam Webster's definition of loner:

loner, noun | lon·er | \ˈlō-nər\ : one that avoids others; especially : individualist

Personally, I have found that anti-social, while sounding technical, is used far more in the sense of being a loner.

Why doesn't my son want to play ball with the other kids? He's so anti-social. What will I ever do?

Tyler Kropp
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Consider,

stick in the mud

(idiomatic, pejorative) A person unwilling to participate in activities; a curmudgeon or party pooper. Have a little fun sometimes and don't be such a stick-in-the-mud. Wiktionary

homebody

A person who prefers pleasures and activities that center around the home; stay-at-home. Random House

Elian
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Many learned people use 'anti-social' to refer to those who keep to themselves. But I think in many parts of the world the word is used to refer to criminals. There are many alternative words. Examples: Don is a private person. He does not attend parties. The tribal people are usually unsociable.
The president is media shy. It is difficult to get him talk. Kala is an introvert. She lives a solitary life.

Sankar Narayanan
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  • That's because those parts of the world would never say "He is a social person" and would use a word with a different root. – A.S. Mar 04 '16 at 18:16
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reclusive (adjective)

avoiding the company of other people; solitary.

desbest
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