lonesome

American  

[lohn-suhm] / ˈloʊn səm /

adjective

1. depressed or sad because of the lack of friends, companionship, etc.; lonely.

   to feel lonesome.

2. attended with or causing such a state or feeling.

   a lonesome evening at home.

3. lonely or deserted in situation; remote, desolate, or isolated.

   a lonesome road.

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idioms

1. on / by one's lonesome, alone: Also by one's lane.

   She went walking by her lonesome.

lonesome British  

/ ˈləʊnsəm /

adjective

1. another word for lonely

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noun

1. informal on one's own

Synonym Usage

See alone.

Other Word Forms

• lonesomeness
  noun
• lonesomely
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of lonesome

First recorded in 1640–50; lone + -some ¹

Explanation

When you're lonesome, you feel sad about being by yourself, and you miss the company of other people. It's entirely possible to feel lonesome even when you're in a crowd. Living alone on an island might sound appealing sometimes, but it would probably be pretty lonesome in reality. Good elementary school teachers pay attention to which kids look a little lonesome during recess, especially at the beginning of the school year, and match them up with a pal. Lonesome means "lonely," although it's uncommon outside of the US.

Related Words

• deserted
• desolate
• homesick
• isolated
• lonely