solitary
SOL-ih-ter-ee
/ˈsɒl.ɪ.tər.i/
Done or existing alone; single; living without companions.
Factual description of being single or alone, without carrying negative emotional weight.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin solitas ('loneliness'), from solus ('alone'). Used in English since the 14th century to describe animals or people who travel alone.
Word relationships
- lone: Lone is often poetic or dramatic; solitary is factual and descriptive.
- social: Social means living in groups or enjoying company.
Commonly confused with
- lonely: Lonely implies sad longing for company; solitary is simply the factual state of being alone.
Word family
- solitude (noun): the state of being alone
- solitarily (adverb): in a single or alone manner
Collocations
- solitary figure
- solitary walk
- solitary confinement
Idioms & expressions
- a solitary life
Example sentences
- "The eagle is a solitary hunter, soaring over mountains in search of prey." Nature Documentary
Memory hook
SOLitary = ONLY ONE (SOLO). Standing alone like a solo act.
When not to use
Do not use to describe emotions like heartbreak unless explicitly qualified.
Fun facts
- In prison terminology, 'solitary confinement' was introduced in 19th-century reform models as a quiet space for penitence.
Explore more words
solitude, desolate, self-contained, reclusive, desolation, secluded
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