Crossword Genius

Recluse's side-splitting joke (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

loner

'recluse's' is the definition.
(lonely or isolated person)

'side-splitting joke' is the wordplay.
'side' becomes 'l' (abbreviation for left).
'splitting joke' becomes 'oner' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'l'+'oner'='LONER'

(Other definitions for loner that I've seen before include "Solitary type" , "He's not a joiner" , "One liking solitude" , "Individualist" , "One preferring own company" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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