solitary
SO-liht-ree
Solitary (adjective) means Alone; without any companions present. Example: “He took a solitary walk along the beach at dawn.”
adjective
1
Alone; without any companions present.
"He took a solitary walk along the beach at dawn."
"She led a solitary life after her children moved away."
"The solitary hiker enjoyed the silence far from any town."
2
Remote, quiet, and rarely visited by other people.
"The cabin sat in a solitary valley miles from the nearest road."
"They bought a house in a solitary corner of the island, rarely visited."
"The monks lived in a solitary mountain retreat where few travellers ever came."
3
Single; the only one of its kind in a given place.
"A solitary light burned in the window of the empty house."
"A solitary tree stood in the middle of the huge field."
"Not a solitary customer came into the shop all morning."
How to use solitary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing alone, or a place that's quiet and cut off from other people.
Common pairings
a solitary figure
solitary confinement
live a solitary life
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Etymology
From Latin sōlitārius, "alone" — the same root that gives us "solitaire".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for solitary
See all rhymes for solitary →Frequently asked questions
What does “solitary” mean?
The word “solitary” means alone; without any companions present. In plain terms, being alone, or a place that's quiet and cut off from other people.
How do you pronounce “solitary”?
“Solitary” is pronounced SO-liht-ree (/ˈsɑlɪˌtɛɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “solitary” in a sentence?
Here is “solitary” used in a sentence: “He took a solitary walk along the beach at dawn.”
What part of speech is “solitary”?
“Solitary” is an adjective.
Where does the word “solitary” come from?
The word “solitary” comes from Latin. From Latin sōlitārius, "alone" — the same root that gives us "solitaire".
Is “solitary” a common word?
“Solitary” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “solitary” have?
“Solitary” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: alone; without any companions present.
What is the difference between "solitary" and "lonely"?
"Solitary" simply describes being alone or without companions, or a place that is remote and rarely visited, without necessarily implying an emotional state. "Lonely" specifically conveys sadness or distress from a lack of companionship, so someone can be solitary by choice without being lonely.
What is the difference between "solitary" and "single" when describing an object?
When applied to objects or instances, "solitary" means being the only one of its kind in a given place, emphasizing isolation or scarcity. "Single" more broadly just means one, without necessarily implying isolation.
Can "solitary" describe a place as well as a person?
Yes, "solitary" can describe a place that is remote, quiet, and rarely visited by other people, such as a solitary cabin, in addition to describing a person who is alone without companions.
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