lonely

American  

[lohn-lee] / ˈloʊn li /

adjective

lonelier, loneliest

1. affected with, characterized by, or causing a depressing feeling of being alone; lonesome.

2. destitute of sympathetic or friendly companionship, intercourse, support, etc..

   a lonely exile.

3. lone; solitary; without company; companionless.

4. remote from places of human habitation; desolate; unfrequented; bleak.

   a lonely road.

   Synonyms:

   unpopulated, uninhabited

5. standing apart; isolated.

   a lonely tower.

   Synonyms:

   secluded

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lonely British  

/ ˈləʊnlɪ /

adjective

1. unhappy as a result of being without the companionship of others

   a lonely man

2. causing or resulting from the state of being alone

   a lonely existence

3. isolated, unfrequented, or desolate

4. without companions; solitary

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Related Words

See alone.

Other Word Forms

• lonelihood noun
• lonelily adverb
• loneliness noun
• unlonely adjective

Etymology

Origin of lonely

First recorded in 1600–10; lone + -ly

Example Sentences

Inside Safe providers acknowledged that motel rooms can be a huge adjustment, leaving people feeling lonely and isolated.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Having no friends can make a person terribly lonely.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Shielding vulnerable patients resulted in many people become lonely and socially-isolated – highlighting the need for better planning to avoid some of these adverse effects in a future pandemic.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

“I moved around a lot with my dad and it was a very lonely existence,” he recalls of his youth.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

They held up their torch to Allun and watched him raise his in answer and turn away to begin his lonely journey back to the cave entrance.

From "Rowan of Rin" by Emily Rodda

Related Words

• deserted
• desolate
• destitute
• empty
• homeless
• isolated
• lonesome
• reclusive
• solitary