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

Feeling sad from being alone; lonely.

"He grew lonesome out on the ranch with no neighbours for miles."

How to use lonesome

Learner’s notes

In 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

more lonesome comparative, lonesomes plural, most lonesome superlative

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He grew _____ out on the ranch with no neighbours for miles.

From "lone" plus "-some," dating to the mid-17th century.

· First attested 1600

Class of 1600 lonesome joined the language around 1600.

abigail accommodation Amish Baroque beau

See the full Class of 1600 →

ome some come home Rome nome tome dome gnome genome become income

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.