adjective
Uncommon
lonesome
LOHN-suhm
Lonesome (adjective) means feeling sad from being alone; lonely. Example: “He grew lonesome out on the ranch with no neighbours for miles.”
adjective
1
Feeling sad from being alone; lonely.
"He grew lonesome out on the ranch with no neighbours for miles."
How to use lonesome
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slightly old-fashioned or informal word for lonely.
When to use it
More common in American and especially Southern/country usage than in British English.
Common pairings
feeling lonesome
a lonesome trail
lonesome nights
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Word forms
- Plural
- lonesomes
- Comparative
- more lonesome
- Superlative
- most lonesome
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He grew _____ out on the ranch with no neighbours for miles.
Etymology
From "lone" plus "-some," dating to the mid-17th century.
Class of 1600
lonesome joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Related words
Rhymes for lonesome
See all rhymes for lonesome →Frequently asked questions
What does “lonesome” mean?
The word “lonesome” means feeling sad from being alone; lonely. In plain terms, a slightly old-fashioned or informal word for lonely.
How do you pronounce “lonesome”?
“Lonesome” is pronounced LOHN-suhm (/ˈloʊnsəm/ in IPA).
How do you use “lonesome” in a sentence?
Here is “lonesome” used in a sentence: “He grew lonesome out on the ranch with no neighbours for miles.”
What part of speech is “lonesome”?
“Lonesome” is an adjective.
Where does the word “lonesome” come from?
The word “lonesome” dates back to around 1600. From "lone" plus "-some," dating to the mid-17th century.
Is “lonesome” a common word?
“Lonesome” is an uncommon word in modern English.
