What does solitary mean?

Definitions for solitary
ˈsɒl ɪˌtɛr isoli·ta·ry

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word solitary.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. solitary confinement, solitarynoun

    confinement of a prisoner in isolation from other prisoners

    "he was held in solitary"

  2. hermit, recluse, solitary, solitudinarian, troglodyteadjective

    one who lives in solitude

  3. lone(a), lonely(a), solitaryadjective

    characterized by or preferring solitude

    "a lone wolf"; "a lonely existence"; "a man of a solitary disposition"; "a solitary walk"

  4. nongregarious, nonsocial, solitaryadjective

    of plants and animals; not growing or living in groups or colonies

    "solitary bees"

  5. alone(p), lone(a), lonely(a), solitaryadjective

    lacking companions or companionship

    "he was alone when we met him"; "she is alone much of the time"; "the lone skier on the mountain"; "a lonely fisherman stood on a tuft of gravel"; "a lonely soul"; "a solitary traveler"

  6. lone(a), lonesome(a), only(a), sole(a), solitary(a)adjective

    being the only one; single and isolated from others

    "the lone doctor in the entire county"; "a lonesome pine"; "an only child"; "the sole heir"; "the sole example"; "a solitary instance of cowardice"; "a solitary speck in the sky"

  7. lonely, solitary, unfrequentedadjective

    devoid of creatures

    "a lonely crossroads"; "a solitary retreat"; "a trail leading to an unfrequented lake"

Wiktionary

  1. solitarynoun

    One who lives alone, or in solitude; an anchoret, hermit or recluse.

  2. solitaryadjective

    Living or being by one's self; alone; having no companion present; being without associates.

  3. solitaryadjective

    Lonely.

  4. solitaryadjective

    Performed, passed, or endured alone; as, a solitary journey; a solitary life.

  5. solitaryadjective

    Not much visited or frequented; remote from society; retired; as, a solitary residence or place.

  6. solitaryadjective

    Not inhabited or occupied; without signs of inhabitants or occupation; desolate; deserted; silent; still; hence, gloomy; dismal; as, the solitary desert.

  7. solitaryadjective

    Single; individual; sole; as, a solitary instance of vengeance; a solitary example.

  8. solitaryadjective

    Not associated with others of the same kind.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. SOLITARYadjective

    Etymology: solitaire, French; solitarius, Latin.

    Those rare and solitary, these in flocks. John Milton.

    Satan explores his solitary flight. John Milton.

    Him fair Lavinia
    Shall breed in groves to lead a solitary life. John Dryden, Æn.

    In respect that it is solitary, I like it very well; but in respect that it is private, it is a very vile life. William Shakespeare.

    Let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein. Job.

    Nor did a solitary vengeance serve: the cutting off one head is not enough; the eldest son must be involved. Charles I .

    Relations alternately relieve each other, their mutual concurrences supporting their solitary instabilities. Brown.

  2. Solitarynoun

    One that lives alone; an hermit.

    Etymology: from the adjective.

    You describe so well your heremitical state of life, that none of the ancient anchorites could go beyond you, for a cave, with a spring, or any of the accommodations that befit a solitary. Alexander Pope, Letters.

ChatGPT

  1. solitary

    Solitary refers to the state or condition of being alone, often by choice. It involves being secluded or isolated from others, avoiding company or interaction. It can also describe something that exists alone or is singular in its nature.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Solitaryadjective

    living or being by one's self; having no companion present; being without associates; single; alone; lonely

  2. Solitaryadjective

    performed, passed, or endured alone; as, a solitary journey; a solitary life

  3. Solitaryadjective

    ot much visited or frequented remote from society; retired; lonely; as, a solitary residence or place

  4. Solitaryadjective

    not inhabited or occupied; without signs of inhabitants or occupation; desolate; deserted; silent; still; hence, gloomy; dismal; as, the solitary desert

  5. Solitaryadjective

    single; individual; sole; as, a solitary instance of vengeance; a solitary example

  6. Solitaryadjective

    not associated with others of the same kind

  7. Solitarynoun

    one who lives alone, or in solitude; an anchoret; a hermit; a recluse

  8. Etymology: [L. solitarius, fr. solus alone: cf. F. solitaire. See Sole, a., and cf. Solitaire.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Solitary

    sol′i-tar-i, adj. being the sole person present: alone or lonely: single, separate, simple: living alone, not social or gregarious: without company: remote from society: retired, secluded: gloomy.—n. one who lives alone: a recluse or hermit—(obs.) Solitā′rian.—adv. Sol′itarily.—n. Sol′itariness. [Fr. solitaire—L. solitariussolus, alone.]

Editors Contribution

  1. Solitary

    By yourself

    I am solitary without friends


    Submitted by anonymous on March 17, 2021  

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of solitary in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of solitary in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of solitary in a Sentence

  1. Bayram Shikhmuradov:

    They are put into cells which can reach 50 degrees in summer and -20 in winter, not given enough food and often held in solitary confinement.

  2. Amnesty International:

    ADX itself has ... become almost entirely a 'lock-down' facility in which prisoners are locked in solitary cells for all but a few hours a week.

  3. Al Watkins:

    The path charted by Mr. Chansley since January 6 has been a process, one which has involved pain, depression, solitary confinement, introspection, recognition of mental health vulnerabilities, and a coming to grips with the need for more self-work.

  4. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

    I will tell both of them that Israel stands, to a great extent, as a solitary island against the waves of Islamic extremism washing over the entire Middle East.

  5. Oscar Auliq-Ice:

    No pursuit of knowledge is a solitary venture, and greatness is often born from the coming together of curious minds.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

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Translations for solitary

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"solitary." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/solitary>.

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