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

If you’re not camping solo, you can also take advantage of a camping partner to keep you both warm.

From Popular-Science

This year, dumpling-making might be more of a solo activity in my kitchen, but I take comfort in knowing that as I wrap my dumplings, home cooks around the world are doing the same as they prepare for the Lunar New Year.

From Washington Post

Not only does it help improve reflex, balance, and hand-eye coordination, it’s a game that can be played socially or solo.

From Popular-Science

I agree with this so strongly that I’m doing the race solo, skinning up and then down Sunlight Mountain as many times as I can in 24 hours.

From Washington Post

Jordan prepares a bit differently these days for solo travel with her son, now 5, and 2-year-old daughter by carrying passports, birth certificates and a letter of consent from her spouse.

From Washington Post

Aaron Paul may play a young Han Solo in the first Star Wars spin-off.

From The Daily Beast

I was bored, but I grabbed a red Solo cup, filled it with beer, and stayed with my group, chatting with the brothers about Jim.

From The Daily Beast

To break her self-destructive cycle and heal, she decides to hike 1,100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail solo.

From The Daily Beast

He started out with solo flights, but in this session over the desert outside Dubai he really pushes the envelope.

From The Daily Beast

During the immediate protests for Michael Brown I walked in the crowd solo and mostly silent.

From The Daily Beast

The solo voice of the Nubian sailor was lost in the chorus of voices which came floating over the Nile.

From Project Gutenberg

The Solo organ and one-third of the Pedal organ are under the first arch on the north side of the chancel.

From Project Gutenberg

The Altar organ, which can be played through the Solo organ keys, is under the second arch on the north side of the chancel.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a ceaseless chorus of distant machinery, and above it rose the grinding and rattling solo of a steam winch.

From Project Gutenberg

Solo and choral singing were to be taught with special regard to dramatic expression.

From Project Gutenberg