solo

[ soh-loh ]

noun

, plural so·los, so·li [soh, -lee].

1. a musical composition or a passage or section in a musical composition written for performance by one singer or instrumentalist, with or without accompaniment:

   She sang a solo.

2. any performance, as a dance, by one person.
3. a flight in an airplane during which the pilot is unaccompanied by an instructor or other person:

   I'll be ready for my first solo next week.

4. a person who works, acts, or performs alone:

   He used to sing with a quartet, but now he's a solo.

5. a person who performs or accomplishes something without the usual equipment, tools, etc.
6. Informal. an announcement, commercial offering, etc., made to only one person or a selected group of such persons:

   Each month the firm sends a solo to its best customers.

7. Cards. any of certain games in which one person plays alone against others.

adjective

1. Music. performing alone:

   a part for solo bassoon.

2. performed alone; not combined with other parts of equal importance; not concerted.
3. alone; without a companion or partner:

   a solo flight.

adverb

1. on one's own; alone or unaccompanied:

   After six lessons he was flying solo.

verb (used without object)

, so·loed, so·lo·ing.

1. to perform or do a solo:

   to solo on the trumpet.

2. to pilot a plane, glider, etc., unaccompanied, especially for the first time:

   After the course the students should be able to solo.

3. to perform or accomplish something by oneself.

verb (used with object)

, so·loed, so·lo·ing.

1. to pilot (a plane, glider, etc.) unaccompanied.
2. to allow (a student pilot) to pilot a plane, glider, etc., alone:

   The instructor decided to solo the student.

solo

/ ˈsəʊləʊ /

noun

1. -los-li-liː a musical composition for one performer with or without accompaniment
2. any of various card games in which each person plays on his own instead of in partnership with another, such as solo whist
3. a flight in which an aircraft pilot is unaccompanied
4. 1. any performance, mountain climb, or other undertaking carried out by an individual without assistance from others
   2. ( as modifier )

      a solo attempt

adjective

1. music unaccompanied

   a sonata for cello solo

adverb

1. by oneself; alone

   to fly solo

verb

1. intr to undertake a venture alone, esp to operate an aircraft alone or climb alone

Word History and Origins

Origin of solo¹

1685–95; < Italian < Latin sōlus alone

Word History and Origins

Origin of solo¹

C17: via Italian from Latin sōlus alone, sole ¹

Example Sentences

The 91-year-old, whose generation-spanning work shaped Michael Jackson’s solo career and included collaborations with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Diana Ross and the Weeknd, died Nov. 3 at his Bel-Air home.

From Los Angeles Times

Star Wars Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi has had its rating upgraded from a U to a PG because of its violence and a scene showing Han Solo frozen in carbonite.

From BBC

The film sees Han Solo, played by Harrison Ford, imprisoned in the carbon chamber after he was frozen by Darth Vader in 1980's prequel The Empire Strikes Back, which is classified as PG, to test whether the process will safely capture Jedi Luke Skywalker, played by Mark Hamill.

From BBC

In 2020, ash clouds from Mount Merapi shut an airport in the city of Solo.

From BBC

Those good vibes continued — the hit-making, swoon-worthy duo never taking themselves too seriously despite serious songwriting chops and bona fides — for intimate co-headlining solo acoustic performances.

From Los Angeles Times