solitary

[ sol-i-ter-ee ]

/ ˈsɒl ɪˌtɛr i /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR solitary 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.

Nearby words

solion, soliped, solipsism, solipsistic, solitaire, solitary, solitary bee, solitary bone cyst, solitary confinement, solitary follicle, solitary sandpiper

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

SYNONYMS FOR solitary

1 lone.

7 isolated, retired, sequestered, remote.

9, 10 hermit, recluse.

10 eremite.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR solitary ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for solitary

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
How can I go on as I am, a solitary curse to myself, a living disgrace to every one I come near!
The Personal History of David Copperfield |Charles Dickens
"Would that I had half the courage for my quest," I mused, and walked slowly back to the solitary lodge.
Lords of the North|A. C. Laut
During the rest of the four-and-twenty hours it seemed to be occupied by a solitary angler, catching chiefly seaweed.
Mr. Punch at the Seaside|Various
For Mary Matchwell, at the Mills, the tidings which had thrown the town into commotion had but a solitary and a selfish interest.
The House by the Church-Yard|J. Sheridan Le Fanu
As far as Sir Norman could see, no other human being but himself and the solitary watchman, so often mentioned, were visible.
The Midnight Queen|May Agnes Fleming

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 Formssolitarily, 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

Word Origin and History for solitary

solitary

adj.

mid-14c., "alone, living alone," from Old French solitaire, from Latin solitarius "alone, lonely, isolated," from solitas "loneliness, solitude," from solus "alone" (see sole (adj.)). Meaning "single, sole, only" is from 1742. Related: Solitarily; solitariness. As a noun from late 14c.; from 1854 as short for solitary confinement (that phrase recorded from 1817).

solitary

adjective

noun, plural sol·i·tar·ies.

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Origin of solitary

Examples from the Web for solitary

British Dictionary definitions for solitary

solitary

adjective

noun plural -taries

Word Origin for solitary

Word Origin and History for solitary

solitary