sole

¹

[ sohl ]

adjective

1. being the only one; only:

   the sole living relative.

   Synonyms: solitary

2. being the only one of the kind; unsurpassed; unique; matchless:

   the sole brilliance of the gem.

   Synonyms: individual

3. belonging or pertaining to one individual or group to the exclusion of all others; exclusive:

   the sole right to the estate.

4. functioning automatically or with independent power:

   the sole authority.

5. Chiefly Law. not married; unmarried.
6. without company or companions; lonely:

   the sole splendor of her life.

7. Archaic. alone.

sole

²

[ sohl ]

noun

1. the bottom or under surface of the foot.
2. the corresponding under part of a shoe, boot, or the like, or this part exclusive of the heel.
3. the bottom, under surface, or lower part of anything.
4. Carpentry.
   1. the underside of a plane.
   2. soleplate.
5. Golf. the part of the head of the club that touches the ground.

verb (used with object)

, soled, sol·ing.

1. to furnish with a sole, as a shoe.
2. Golf. to place the sole of (a club) on the ground, as in preparation for a stroke.

sole

³

[ sohl ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) sole, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) soles.

1. a European flatfish, Solea solea, used for food.
2. any other flatfish of the families Soleidae and Cynoglossidae, having a hooklike snout.

sole

¹

/ səʊl /

adjective

1. prenominal being the only one; only
2. prenominal of or relating to one individual or group and no other

   sole rights on a patent

3. law having no wife or husband See also feme sole
4. an archaic word for solitary

sole

²

/ səʊl /

noun

1. the underside of the foot plantarvolar
2. the underside of a shoe
3. 1. the bottom of a furrow
   2. the bottom of a plough
4. the underside of a golf-club head
5. the bottom of an oven, furnace, etc

verb

1. to provide (a shoe) with a sole
2. golf to rest (the club) on the ground, as when preparing to make a stroke

sole

³

/ səʊl /

noun

1. any tongue-shaped flatfish of the family Soleidae, esp Solea solea ( European sole ): most common in warm seas and highly valued as food fishes
2. any of certain other similar fishes

Derived Forms

• ˈsoleness, noun
• ˈsoleless, adjective

Other Words From

• soleness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sole¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English sol(e), soul(e) “unmarried, single, alone,” from Old French sol, sol(e), sul, from Latin sōlus “alone, on one's own, lonely”

Origin of sole²

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English (noun) sole, sol(le), from Old French sole, sol(le), soul, from Vulgar Latin, Medieval Latin sola, from Latin solea “plain sandal (fastened with thongs); sole (fish); foundation (timber),” derivative of solum “base, floor, bottom”

Origin of sole³

First recorded in 1250–1300; sole ²( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of sole¹

C14: from Old French soule, from Latin sōlus alone

Origin of sole²

C14: via Old French from Latin solea sandal; probably related to solum the ground

Origin of sole³

C14: via Old French from Vulgar Latin sola (unattested), from Latin solea a sandal (from the fish's shape)

Example Sentences

Genes aren't the sole driver instructing cells to build multicellular structures, tissues, and organs.

From Science Daily

Harden, who moved into sole possession of second place on the NBA’s all-time three-pointer list Sunday, still found a way to play nearly 41 minutes despite not feeling well.

From Los Angeles Times

In a sport where players operate as sole traders for the majority of the year, switching from a mindset of pursuing individual glory to achieving a common goal can be tricky.

From BBC

He brings the same versatility to his sole offensive position for the Chargers.

From Los Angeles Times

Djokovic holds two more Grand Slam trophies than Nadal and is still chasing his 25th to take sole ownership of the all-time record for the most major singles titles he shares with Margaret Court.

From BBC

Related Words

• exclusive
• lone
• one and only
• remaining