solitary
SOL-ih-tair-ee
/ˈsɑːləteri/
Done or existing alone; as a noun short for solitary confinement.
As an adjective, means existing alone. As a noun in criminal justice, refers to isolating a prisoner in a single cell.
The story behind the word. Traced to Latin 'solitarius' (alone or lonely), derived from 'solus' (alone). It came into Old French as 'solitaire' and entered English in the 14th century to describe lone hermits or unassisted endeavors.
Word relationships
- isolated: 'Isolated' describes location or detachment; 'solitary' highlights being singular or alone.
- lonely: 'Lonely' implies sadness from being alone; 'solitary' is objective state of being alone.
- social: Seeking or involving company.
- communal: Shared by members of a group.
Commonly confused with
- solidarity: 'Solitary' means alone; 'solidarity' means unified support among a group.
Word family
- solitude (noun): The state or situation of being alone.
- solitarily (adverb): In a solitary manner.
Collocations
- solitary confinement
- solitary figure
- placed in solitary
Example sentences
- "Psychologists warn that keeping prisoners in solitary confinement for months causes severe mental harm." Prison Policy Reform
- "The lone eagle made a solitary flight across the desolate valley." Literature
Memory hook
SOLitary -> SOLO means one person alone. SOLO = Solitary.
When not to use
Do not confuse noun usage with general quiet leisure solitude; 'in solitary' implies strict penal isolation.
Fun facts
- The game of Solitaire was named because it is played by a single player completely alone.
Related words
Explore more words
solitude, desolate, self-contained, reclusive, desolation, secluded
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