alone
uh-LOHN
Alone (adj) means By oneself, without other people present. Example: “He prefers to eat lunch alone.”
adj
1
By oneself, without other people present.
"He prefers to eat lunch alone."
"She lived alone for years after her children moved out."
"She felt nervous walking home alone after dark."
adv
1
Used after a noun to mean "only" or "exclusively" that thing.
"The repairs alone cost more than the car was worth."
"Money alone cannot make a person happy."
"The view alone makes the long climb worthwhile."
How to use alone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOn your own, without anyone else — or, after a noun, "just that one thing".
Common mistake
"Alone" describes being by yourself and is neutral; "lonely" describes the unhappy feeling of wanting company. You can be alone without being lonely.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
leave someone alone
stand alone
alone at last
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Etymology
From Middle English al one, literally "all one" — contracted from Old English eall ān.
Synonyms
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by oneself
on your own
solo
solitary
unaccompanied
only
entirely
exclusively
solely
unequaled
lone
lonely
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for alone
See all rhymes for alone →Frequently asked questions
What does “alone” mean?
The word “alone” means by oneself, without other people present. In plain terms, on your own, without anyone else — or, after a noun, "just that one thing".
How do you pronounce “alone”?
“Alone” is pronounced uh-LOHN (/əˈloʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “alone” in a sentence?
Here is “alone” used in a sentence: “He prefers to eat lunch alone.”
What part of speech is “alone”?
Depending on how it is used, “alone” can be an adjective and an adverb.
Where does the word “alone” come from?
The word “alone” comes from Old English. From Middle English al one, literally "all one" — contracted from Old English eall ān.
Is “alone” a common word?
“Alone” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “alone” have?
“Alone” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: by oneself, without other people present.
What is the difference between alone and lonely?
Alone describes a simple fact — being by yourself, with no one else present. Lonely describes a feeling — the sadness of wanting company you do not have. You can be happily alone and not lonely at all, or feel deeply lonely in a crowded room. One is a state, the other an emotion.
Is being alone a bad thing?
Not at all. Being alone is simply a neutral state, and many people value it as solitude — time to rest, think, create, or recharge away from others. It only becomes hard when it turns into unwanted loneliness. For plenty of people, chosen time alone is healthy and even necessary.
What is the opposite of alone?
The opposite of alone is being together, accompanied, or in company. Where alone means no one else is present, its antonyms describe having others around — words like accompanied, surrounded, or among friends. Which fits best depends on whether you mean simply having company or being closely joined with others.
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