alone

American  

[uh-lohn] / əˈloʊn /

adjective

1. separate, apart, or isolated from others.

   I want to be alone.

   Synonyms:

   unattended, unaccompanied, solitary, single

2. to the exclusion of all others or all else.

   One cannot live by bread alone.

3. unique; unequaled; unparalleled.

   He is alone among his peers in devotion to duty.

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adverb

1. solitarily; solo.

   She prefers to live alone.

2. only; exclusively.

   You alone hold the key to your happiness.

3. without aid or help.

   The baby let go of the side of the crib and stood alone.

idioms

1. let alone. let.

2. leave / let well enough alone, to be satisfied with the existing situation; refrain from attempting to change conditions.

   Marriages are often destroyed by relatives who will not let well enough alone.

3. leave alone. leave.

alone British  

/ əˈləʊn /

adjective

1. apart from another or others; solitary

2. without anyone or anything else

   one man alone could lift it

3. without equal; unique

   he stands alone in the field of microbiology

4. to the exclusion of others; only

   she alone believed him

5. to refrain from annoying or interfering with

6. to refrain from interfering with something that is satisfactory

7. much less; not to mention

   he can't afford beer, let alone whisky

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alone More Idioms  

1. see go it alone; leave someone alone; leave well enough alone; let alone.

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Usage

See leave ¹.

Related Words

Alone, lone, lonely, lonesome all imply being without companionship or association. Alone is colorless unless reinforced by all; it then suggests solitariness or desolation: alone in the house; all alone on an island. Lone is somewhat poetic or is intended humorously: a lone sentinel. Lonely implies a sad or disquieting feeling of isolation. Lonesome connotes emotion, a longing for companionship.

Other Word Forms

• aloneness noun

Etymology

Origin of alone

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English al one all (in the sense “wholly”) one

Example Sentences

"This evidence suggests that despite their success in achieving initial weight loss, these drugs alone may not be sufficient for long term weight control," the researchers write.

From Science Daily

Ireland was not alone in benefiting from a surge in exports to the U.S. in the early months of the year as businesses tried to get ahead of an anticipated hike in tariffs.

From The Wall Street Journal

He pleaded with staff at the Essex facility not to leave his eldest child, Greg, alone in his absence.

From BBC

However, Daniels, is not alone in facing such problems.

From BBC

He thinks Japanese authorities intervening alone is more likely, especially if the yen pushes back toward 160 against the dollar.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• only
• unattended