adjective
Common
lone
lohn
Lone (adjective) means Alone; without companions. Example: “A lone tree stood in the middle of the empty field.”
adjective
1
Alone; without companions.
"A lone tree stood in the middle of the empty field."
"A lone hiker made his way up the ridge."
"She was the lone survivor of the crash."
2
Being the only one of its kind.
"The lone shop in the village sells everything from bread to batteries."
"The lone exception to the rule is explained in the footnote."
"His was the lone dissenting vote on the committee."
How to use lone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAlone or by itself — often used for someone acting without others, or a single standout example.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a lone wolf
a lone figure
the lone survivor
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- lones
- Past tense
- loned
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A _____ tree stood in the middle of the empty field.
Etymology
A shortened form of "alone."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for lone
See all rhymes for lone →Frequently asked questions
What does “lone” mean?
The word “lone” means alone; without companions. In plain terms, alone or by itself — often used for someone acting without others, or a single standout example.
How do you pronounce “lone”?
“Lone” is pronounced lohn (/loʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “lone” in a sentence?
Here is “lone” used in a sentence: “A lone hiker made his way up the ridge.”
What part of speech is “lone”?
“Lone” is an adjective.
Is “lone” a common word?
“Lone” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lone” have?
“Lone” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: alone; without companions.
What is the difference between lone and lonely?
"Lone" describes being single or solitary in number, as in a lone survivor, and carries no emotional weight. "Lonely" describes the unhappy feeling of being isolated or without company. Something can be lone without being lonely.
What is the difference between lone and alone?
"Lone" is placed before a noun to mean single or solitary, as in "a lone traveller." "Alone" comes after a verb to say someone is by themselves, as in "she travelled alone." You would not say "a alone traveller" or "she was lone."
Can you use lone after a verb, as in "she was lone"?
No. "Lone" is an attributive adjective, meaning it sits directly before a noun, as in "a lone figure." To say someone is by themselves after a verb, use "alone" instead, as in "she was alone."
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