solo
SOH-loh
Solo (noun) means a piece of music, or a section of one, performed by a single musician. Example: “The guitarist ripped into a blistering solo halfway through the song.”
noun
1
A piece of music, or a section of one, performed by a single musician.
"The guitarist ripped into a blistering solo halfway through the song."
"The violin solo at the end of the concerto left the audience silent."
"Each member of the jazz band took a solo before the final chorus."
adjective
1
Done by one person alone, without a partner or companion.
"She made her first solo flight after twenty hours of lessons."
"He's planning a solo trip across South America."
"After years of group holidays, my aunt finally booked a solo cycling tour."
verb
1
To do something by yourself, without help or company.
"The pilot soloed for the first time that afternoon."
"My brother soloed across the lake in a tiny wooden canoe."
"Are you ready to solo on the climbing wall, or do you want a partner?"
How to use solo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOn your own — a performance, activity, or trip done without anyone else.
Common pairings
go solo
a solo career
solo artist
fly solo
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Word forms
- Plural
- solos, soli
- Third person singular
- solos, soloes
- Past tense
- soloed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The guitarist ripped into a blistering _____ halfway through the song.
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian solo, "alone", from Latin sōlus.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for solo
See all rhymes for solo →Frequently asked questions
What does “solo” mean?
The word “solo” means a piece of music, or a section of one, performed by a single musician. In plain terms, on your own — a performance, activity, or trip done without anyone else.
How do you pronounce “solo”?
“Solo” is pronounced SOH-loh (/ˈsoʊ.loʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “solo” in a sentence?
Here is “solo” used in a sentence: “The guitarist ripped into a blistering solo halfway through the song.”
What part of speech is “solo”?
Depending on how it is used, “solo” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “solo” come from?
The word “solo” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Italian solo, "alone", from Latin sōlus.
Is “solo” a common word?
“Solo” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “solo” have?
“Solo” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a piece of music, or a section of one, performed by a single musician.
What is the difference between a solo and a duet?
A solo is performed by a single musician, while a duet is performed by two. The distinction is simply the number of performers featured: one voice or instrument taking the spotlight alone versus two sharing it. Larger groupings include the trio for three players and the quartet for four.
What are the types of solo?
Solos are usually named after the instrument or voice performing them, such as a guitar solo, drum solo, piano solo, or vocal solo. In a band or orchestra, a solo can be a whole standalone piece or just a passage where one player steps forward while the others fall quiet.
What is the opposite of a solo?
In musical terms, the opposite is an ensemble or group performance, where many musicians play together. "Tutti," an Italian word meaning "all," marks the passages where the full group plays after a solo. So a solo highlights one performer, whereas tutti or ensemble brings everyone back in.
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