lone
Lone (adjective) means Alone; without companions. Example: “A lone hiker made his way up the ridge.”
How to use lone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAlone or by itself — often used for someone acting without others, or a single standout example.
Word forms
loned past tense, lones singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ hiker made his way up the ridge.
Etymology
A shortened form of "alone."
Synonyms
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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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