alone

Alone is an adjective that describes someone or something as being in isolation or as being unique. Alone is used as an adverb to mean something was done by a single individual. Alone has a few additional senses as an adjective and an adverb.

If you are alone, you are the only human being present in a place. Generally, alone is neither good nor bad. If it’s used in the phrase “all alone” though, it implies a sense of sadness or loneliness. Alone always describes a situation where there is exactly one thing existing apart from all others.

Real-life examples: Some animals, such as tigers, like to be alone and spend most of their lives away from others of their species. You may want to be alone in your room, away from other people. An actor might be alone on stage when giving a monologue.

Used in a sentence: I was alone in the dark, spooky room. 

Alone also describes something as being unique or being the only example of something.

Real-life examples: A championship is won by one team alone. You alone are the only one who knows how you feel.

Used in a sentence: I always feel like I am alone in my love of smelly cheese. 

Alone is also used as an adverb to mean something was done by a single individual.

Real-life examples: A widow might live alone in her house after her husband dies. A solo is when a singer or musician performs alone. Most games cannot be played alone and need at least a second player.

Used in a sentence: She likes to hike alone in the woods.

The first records of alone come from the later 1200s. It comes from the Middle English al one, meaning “exclusively one” or “entirely one.”

What are some other forms related to alone?

• aloneness (noun)

What are some synonyms for alone?

• single
• solo
• only
• unique
• solely
• solitarily

What are some words that share a root or word element with alone? 

• lone
• leave someone alone
• leave well enough alone
• go it alone

What are some words that often get used in discussing alone?

• one
• singular
• live
• work
• isolation
• all

Alone is a very common word that most often describes something that involves one person or thing.

Enjoying being alone could easily become a habit of mine. Sometimes I just want to be alone with my thoughts and music.

— Haven Raven (@ARestlessHaven) December 29, 2020

If I lived alone I would walk around naked all the time

— Matthew Morales (@mattkillsswagg) December 22, 2020

We are committed to doing everything we can at the state level to fight violent crime, but we can’t do it alone. The only way we can truly make a difference is by working together.

— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) October 14, 2020

True or False?

If a person is alone in a room, no one else is in the room with them.