solo

4 synonyms and 1 antonym for solo, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A piece of music, or a section of one, performed by a single musician.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

feature

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

showcase

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

solo performance solo spot

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A piece of music, or a section of one, performed by a single musician.

“The guitarist ripped into a blistering solo halfway through the song.”

solo performance feature solo spot showcase

2. adjective

Done by one person alone, without a partner or companion.

“She made her first solo flight after twenty hours of lessons.”

Opposites

accompanied

How to use solo

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

go solo a solo career solo artist fly solo

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian solo, "alone", from Latin sōlus.

Full origin of solo →

Frequently asked questions

What does “solo” mean?

The word “solo” means a piece of music, or a section of one, performed by a single musician. In plain terms, on your own — a performance, activity, or trip done without anyone else.

How do you pronounce “solo”?

“Solo” is pronounced SOH-loh (/ˈsoʊ.loʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “solo” in a sentence?

Here is “solo” used in a sentence: “The guitarist ripped into a blistering solo halfway through the song.”

What part of speech is “solo”?

Depending on how it is used, “solo” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.

Where does the word “solo” come from?

The word “solo” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Italian solo, "alone", from Latin sōlus.

Is “solo” a common word?

“Solo” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “solo” have?

“Solo” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a piece of music, or a section of one, performed by a single musician.

What is the difference between a solo and a duet?

A solo is performed by a single musician, while a duet is performed by two. The distinction is simply the number of performers featured: one voice or instrument taking the spotlight alone versus two sharing it. Larger groupings include the trio for three players and the quartet for four.

What are the types of solo?

Solos are usually named after the instrument or voice performing them, such as a guitar solo, drum solo, piano solo, or vocal solo. In a band or orchestra, a solo can be a whole standalone piece or just a passage where one player steps forward while the others fall quiet.

What is the opposite of a solo?

In musical terms, the opposite is an ensemble or group performance, where many musicians play together. "Tutti," an Italian word meaning "all," marks the passages where the full group plays after a solo. So a solo highlights one performer, whereas tutti or ensemble brings everyone back in.

Related words

number solitaire

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