lonely

[lohn-lee]

adjective

lonelier, loneliest 

1. affected with, characterized by, or causing a depressing feeling of being alone; lonesome.

2. destitute of sympathetic or friendly companionship, intercourse, support, etc..

   a lonely exile.

3. lone; solitary; without company; companionless.

4. remote from places of human habitation; desolate; unfrequented; bleak.

   a lonely road.

   Synonyms: unpopulated, uninhabited

5. standing apart; isolated.

   a lonely tower.

   Synonyms: secluded

lonely

/ ˈləʊnlɪ /

adjective

1. unhappy as a result of being without the companionship of others

   a lonely man

2. causing or resulting from the state of being alone

   a lonely existence

3. isolated, unfrequented, or desolate

4. without companions; solitary

Other Word Forms

• loneliness noun
• lonelily adverb
• lonelihood noun
• unlonely adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lonely¹

First recorded in 1600–10; lone + -ly

Synonym Study

See alone.

Example Sentences

The life of a Rangers centre-forward is a lonely existence right now.

From BBC

“It can be touching, sad, happy, but it allows people to go through some of what they go through in life and not feel isolated and lonely.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Your Estragon is funny, lonely, pensive, philosophical and shares your ability to sleep anywhere, at any time,” she wrote on Instagram, referencing Reeves’ character.

From Los Angeles Times

Fraudsters using promises of love and companionship to cheat the lonely is a crime as old as Victorian novels.

From Los Angeles Times

With her teenage son attending boarding school in New York, and the loss of both her parents, she was increasingly lonely at home; and floundering professionally.

From BBC

Related Words

• deserted 
• desolate 
• destitute 
• empty 
• homeless 
• isolated 
• lonesome 
• reclusive www.thesaurus.com
• solitary