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

Stafford still needs one touchdown pass to take sole possession of 10th place on the NFL’s career list.

From Los Angeles Times

Another neighbor drove her car directly through the Jensens property to escape the inferno, which had already blocked off the sole escape route.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, more than 100 nuclear plants have been closed in the last two decades around the world, including New York State’s sole nuclear power plant, which was retired in 2021 due to high operating costs and environmental and safety concerns.

From BBC

Increasingly questions are being asked as to why Tuchel is not starting his role here in Greece, and why he is not even in Athens casting his eye over the players the FA hopes he will guide to World Cup glory in 2026, as his 18-month contract suggests is the sole objective of his appointment.

From BBC

Don Cheadle, the sole nominee who was a newcomer to the Oscar competition, was competing for his performance as hotelier Paul Rusesabagina in “Hotel Rwanda,” while Johnny Depp had received his second lead actor nomination, this time for portraying author J.M.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• exclusive
• lone
• one and only
• remaining