solitary

[ sol-i-ter-ee ]

adjective

1. alone; without companions; unattended:

   a solitary passer-by.

   Synonyms: lone

2. living alone; avoiding the society of others:

   a solitary existence.

3. by itself; alone:

   one solitary house.

4. characterized by the absence of companions:

   a solitary journey.

5. done without assistance or accompaniment; done in solitude:

   solitary chores.

6. being the only one:

   a solitary exception.

7. characterized by solitude, as a place; unfrequented, secluded, or lonely:

   a solitary cabin in the woods.

   Synonyms: remote, retired, isolated

8. Zoology. living habitually alone or in pairs, as certain wasps. Compare social ( def 11 ).

noun

, plural sol·i·tar·ies.

1. a person who lives alone or in solitude, or avoids the society of others.

   Synonyms: recluse, hermit

2. a person who lives in solitude from religious motives.

   Synonyms: eremite, recluse, hermit

3. solitary confinement.

solitary

/ -trɪ; ˈsɒlɪtərɪ /

adjective

1. following or enjoying a life of solitude

   a solitary disposition

2. experienced or performed alone

   a solitary walk

3. (of a place) unfrequented
4. prenominal single; sole

   a solitary speck in the sky

5. having few companions; lonely
6. (of animals) not living in organized colonies or large groups Compare social gregarious

   a solitary elephant

   solitary bees

7. (of flowers) growing singly

noun

1. a person who lives in seclusion; hermit; recluse
2. informal.
   short for solitary confinement

Derived Forms

• ˈsolitariness, noun
• ˈsolitarily, adverb

Other Words From

• soli·tari·ly adverb
• soli·tari·ness noun
• un·soli·tary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of solitary¹

1300–50; Middle English < Latin sōlitārius alone, by itself, solitary, equivalent to sōlit ( ās ) solitude ( sōl ( us ) sole ¹ + -itās -ity ) + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of solitary¹

C14: from Latin sōlitārius, from sōlus sole ¹

Example Sentences

England's solitary try came from a smart Marcus Smith intercept of a ponderous pass, but they rarely looked as if they could pick a way though the defence via their own wit.

From BBC

In the early years, he said, he acted up, raking up disciplinary infractions that landed him in solitary confinement.

From Los Angeles Times

They have also lobbied against legislation to limit the use of solitary confinement and grant inmates more visiting rights.

From Los Angeles Times

It was defeat by a solitary point against the All Blacks in Dunedin in July.

From BBC

He earned a solitary cap for England under Ron Greenwood in 1977, as a second half substitute against Luxembourg in a World Cup qualifier.

From BBC

Related Words

• lone
• lonely
• singular