A hider is someone who hides, either themselves or something else. In a game of hide-and-seek, the hiders scatter to find the best spots while the seeker counts and prepares to search. A good hider knows that staying perfectly still and quiet matters just as much as finding a clever spot.

The word can also describe someone who conceals things. A squirrel is an expert hider, burying acorns in dozens of locations for winter. A person might be called a hider if they regularly stash away candy, hide their journal under their mattress, or keep secrets.

Sometimes hider describes someone who avoids being seen or noticed more generally. A shy student who always picks the back corner desk might be acting like a hider, choosing to stay out of view rather than participate. In this sense, being a hider isn't always about playing a game but about a pattern of avoiding attention or responsibility.

Interestingly, calling someone a hider can carry a slightly negative tone, suggesting they're being secretive or evasive when they should be open and honest. The context tells you whether hider describes innocent fun or something less admirable.