lone
Americanadjective
-
being alone; without company or accompaniment; solitary; unaccompanied.
a lone traveler.
-
standing by itself or apart; isolated.
a lone house in the valley.
-
sole; single; only.
That company constitutes our lone competitor in the field.
-
unmarried or widowed.
adjective
-
unaccompanied; solitary
-
single or isolated
a lone house
-
a literary word for lonely
-
unmarried or widowed
Synonym Usage
See alone.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of lone
1325–75; Middle English; aphetic var of alone, used attributively
Explanation
Something described as lone is the only one of its kind — it's on its own. The lone child waiting for a ride home from school is the very last kid to be picked up. The lone tree in your yard is the only one growing there, and if your well is your lone source of water, it's the only way that water flows from the shower or the kitchen faucet. Sometimes lone is used to mean "lacking support," as when a state senator's vote is a lone voice in opposition to a proposed bill. If someone calls you a "lone wolf," they see you as someone who prefers acting alone.
Vocabulary lists containing lone
Commonly Confused Words, List 1
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Commonly Confused Words, List 4
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Commonly Confused Words, List 6
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The cost of lone living is higher too, according to ONS figures.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
His lone Emmy win came in 2019, for directing an episode of his Netflix crime drama “Ozark.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026
Today, he says, there’s a male and female with six babies at the lagoon, plus another couple and a lone male.
From Slate • May 27, 2026
Saudi Aramco is the lone historical corollary for IPOs of that size.
From Barron's • May 22, 2026
This time in the empty space in the middle of the library there are two lone music stands facing each other.
From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
