solitary

[ sol-i-ter-ee ]

/ ˈsɒl ɪˌtɛr i /

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See synonyms for: solitary / solitaries / solitarily / solitariness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

alone; without companions; unattended: a solitary passer-by.

living alone; avoiding the society of others: a solitary existence.

by itself; alone: one solitary house.

characterized by the absence of companions: a solitary journey.

done without assistance or accompaniment; done in solitude: solitary chores.

being the only one: a solitary exception.

characterized by solitude, as a place; unfrequented, secluded, or lonely: a solitary cabin in the woods.

Zoology. living habitually alone or in pairs, as certain wasps.Compare social (def. 11).

noun, plural sol·i·tar·ies.

a person who lives alone or in solitude, or avoids the society of others.

a person who lives in solitude from religious motives.

solitary confinement.

OTHER WORDS FOR solitary

1 lone.

7 isolated, retired, sequestered, remote.

9, 10 hermit, recluse.

10 eremite.

See synonyms for solitary on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of solitary

1300–50; Middle English <Latin sōlitārius alone, by itself, solitary, equivalent to sōlit(ās) solitude (sōl(us) sole¹ + -itās-ity) + -ārius-ary

OTHER WORDS FROM solitary

sol·i·tar·i·ly, adverbsol·i·tar·i·ness, nounun·sol·i·tar·y, adjective

Words nearby solitary

solion, soliped, solipsism, solipsistic, solitaire, solitary, solitary bee, solitary confinement, solitary sandpiper, solitary vireo, solitary wasp

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use solitary in a sentence

His careful, solitary work helped reveal individual cells of the brain that together create wider networks.
Famous brain sketches come to life again as embroideries|Laura Sanders|February 4, 2021|Science News
Researchers had long thought they were solitary, nocturnal hunters.
Some electric eels coordinate their attacks to zap prey|Jonathan Lambert|January 25, 2021|Science News For Students
Fly-fishing is a solitary pursuit, and I figured those states would have built-in social distancing.
In Big Sky country, a pandemic-era fly-fishing getaway|Carl Fincke|January 21, 2021|Washington Post
I can’t say enough about that for young children and music, that if their parents can invest that time with them, it makes it a less solitary thing.
Joanne Rogers, memory-keeper of ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,’ dies at 92|Emily Langer|January 14, 2021|Washington Post

She’d heard that the rats were solitary, so her first catch should have emptied the territory.
Rats with poisonous hairdos live surprisingly sociable private lives|Susan Milius|January 12, 2021|Science News
They are impressive animals, solitary hunters blessed with incredible power and athleticism.
This Tiger Has Some Serious Ups|Jack Holmes, The Daily Beast Video|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Once transferred to Karaj Prison, he spent an additional 15 days in solitary confinement.
A Daughter’s Plea: Free My Father from Prison in Iran|Mitra Pourshajari, Movements.Org, Advancing Human Rights|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I was put in a solitary confinement completely cut off from the outside world without even enjoying basic prisoner rights.
A Daughter’s Plea: Free My Father from Prison in Iran|Mitra Pourshajari, Movements.Org, Advancing Human Rights|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I have been told that, if I continue with this protest, I will be placed in solitary confinement.
An American Marine in Iran’s Prisons Goes on Hunger Strike|IranWire|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Livvix, 30, is now in solitary confinement in the maximum-security Ayalon prison in Ramla, a city near Tel Aviv.
The Strange Case of the Christian Zionist Terrorist|Creede Newton|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The light which discovered its dismal bounds to his solitary eyes, came from a small grated aperture in the vaulted roof.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
It has been years since they have had a license at our tavern, so there was a solitary man in the bar-room when I entered.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
"I was playin' sock-ball," snuffled the boy, and a solitary tear rolled down his snub nose.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
With these words the matron dropped into her chair, and, once more resting her elbow on the table, thought of her solitary fate.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
It needs better evidence to stamp this solitary suggestion of a blot on the clear scutcheon of Douglas.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison

British Dictionary definitions for solitary

solitary

/ (ˈsɒlɪtərɪ, -trɪ) /

adjective

following or enjoying a life of solitudea solitary disposition

experienced or performed alonea solitary walk

(of a place) unfrequented

(prenominal) single; solea solitary speck in the sky

having few companions; lonely

(of animals) not living in organized colonies or large groupssolitary bees; a solitary elephant Compare social (def. 7), gregarious (def. 2)

(of flowers) growing singly

noun plural -taries

a person who lives in seclusion; hermit; recluse

informal short for solitary confinement

Derived forms of solitary

solitarily, adverbsolitariness, noun

Word Origin for solitary

C14: from Latin sōlitārius, from sōlus sole 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

solitary

OTHER WORDS FOR solitary

Origin of solitary

OTHER WORDS FROM solitary

Words nearby solitary

Words related to solitary

How to use solitary in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for solitary

Derived forms of solitary

Word Origin for solitary