solo

[ soh-loh ]

/ ˈsoʊ loʊ /

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See synonyms for: solo / soloed / soloing / solos on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural so·los, so·li

[soh-lee]. /ˈsoʊ li/.

a musical composition or a passage or section in a musical composition written for performance by one singer or instrumentalist, with or without accompaniment: She sang a solo.

any performance, as a dance, by one person.

a flight in an airplane during which the pilot is unaccompanied by an instructor or other person: I'll be ready for my first solo next week.

a person who works, acts, or performs alone: He used to sing with a quartet, but now he's a solo.

a person who performs or accomplishes something without the usual equipment, tools, etc.

Informal. an announcement, commercial offering, etc., made to only one person or a selected group of such persons: Each month the firm sends a solo to its best customers.

Cards. any of certain games in which one person plays alone against others.

adjective

Music. performing alone: a part for solo bassoon.

performed alone; not combined with other parts of equal importance; not concerted.

alone; without a companion or partner: a solo flight.

adverb

on one's own; alone or unaccompanied: After six lessons he was flying solo.

verb (used without object), so·loed, so·lo·ing.

to perform or do a solo: to solo on the trumpet.

to pilot a plane, glider, etc., unaccompanied, especially for the first time: After the course the students should be able to solo.

to perform or accomplish something by oneself.

verb (used with object), so·loed, so·lo·ing.

to pilot (a plane, glider, etc.) unaccompanied.

to allow (a student pilot) to pilot a plane, glider, etc., alone: The instructor decided to solo the student.

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Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of solo

1685–95; <Italian <Latin sōlus alone

Words nearby solo

sollar, solleret, sollicker, solmization, soln., solo, sologamy, soloist, Solo man, Solomon, Solomon Gundy

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

How to use solo in a sentence

If you’re not camping solo, you can also take advantage of a camping partner to keep you both warm.
How to stay warm while sleeping in the frigid outdoors|Alisha McDarris|February 12, 2021|Popular-Science
This year, dumpling-making might be more of a solo activity in my kitchen, but I take comfort in knowing that as I wrap my dumplings, home cooks around the world are doing the same as they prepare for the Lunar New Year.
Homemade dumplings bring me closer to family this Lunar New Year, even from far away|Marian Liu|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
Not only does it help improve reflex, balance, and hand-eye coordination, it’s a game that can be played socially or solo.
Advanced tables to enhance your ping pong game|PopSci Commerce Team|February 5, 2021|Popular-Science
I agree with this so strongly that I’m doing the race solo, skinning up and then down Sunlight Mountain as many times as I can in 24 hours.
Small ski areas, big impact|Dina Mishev|February 5, 2021|Washington Post

Jordan prepares a bit differently these days for solo travel with her son, now 5, and 2-year-old daughter by carrying passports, birth certificates and a letter of consent from her spouse.
If you’re a solo parent traveling internationally with your kids, be ready for this question|Gina Rich|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
Aaron Paul may play a young Han Solo in the first Star Wars spin-off.
Juiciest ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Rumors (and Some Debunked Ones)|Rich Goldstein|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I was bored, but I grabbed a red Solo cup, filled it with beer, and stayed with my group, chatting with the brothers about Jim.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything|Liz Seccuro|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To break her self-destructive cycle and heal, she decides to hike 1,100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail solo.
Exclusive: The Making of Reese Witherspoon’s Golden Globe-Nominated ‘Wild’|Marlow Stern|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He started out with solo flights, but in this session over the desert outside Dubai he really pushes the envelope.
Daredevil in a Jetpack Flies Alongside A Plane|Jack Holmes, The Daily Beast Video|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
During the immediate protests for Michael Brown I walked in the crowd solo and mostly silent.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Protesting|Rawiya Kameir, Judnick Mayard|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The solo voice of the Nubian sailor was lost in the chorus of voices which came floating over the Nile.
Bella Donna|Robert Hichens
The Solo organ and one-third of the Pedal organ are under the first arch on the north side of the chancel.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller
The Altar organ, which can be played through the Solo organ keys, is under the second arch on the north side of the chancel.
The Recent Revolution in Organ Building|George Laing Miller
There was a ceaseless chorus of distant machinery, and above it rose the grinding and rattling solo of a steam winch.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
Solo and choral singing were to be taught with special regard to dramatic expression.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician|Frederick Niecks

British Dictionary definitions for solo

solo

/ (ˈsəʊləʊ) /

noun plural -los

plural -los or -li (-liː) a musical composition for one performer with or without accompaniment

any of various card games in which each person plays on his own instead of in partnership with another, such as solo whist

a flight in which an aircraft pilot is unaccompanied

any performance, mountain climb, or other undertaking carried out by an individual without assistance from others
(as modifier)a solo attempt

adjective

music unaccompanieda sonata for cello solo

adverb

by oneself; aloneto fly solo

verb

(intr) to undertake a venture alone, esp to operate an aircraft alone or climb alone

Word Origin for solo

C17: via Italian from Latin sōlus alone, 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

solo

Origin of solo

Words nearby solo

Words related to solo

How to use solo in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for solo

Word Origin for solo