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  

Matched Categories

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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. Bo Kyi:

    We know that the military can not be trusted to respect the human rights of people and the rule of law in Burma, when the military was last in charge, political prisoners like me were rounded up, sent to prison for decades,( put in) solitary confinement and tortured. We are concerned that if this state of emergency is not reversed, similar things will happen again.

  2. Theresa Hannigan:

    It helps you mentally, you know, gets stuff squared away, keeps you active, ask anybody walking in a ReWalk— it’s been a life-changer for every single solitary one of us.

  3. United States:

    Then came Rio Olympics. United States ' Missy Franklin had never been through anything like Rio Olympics before. There were plenty of tears, even as United States ' Missy Franklin tried to maintain United States ' Missy Franklin smiling, upbeat facade. It was brutal, United States ' Missy Franklin recalled. You are literally on the biggest stage in the world and falling short of every single goal youve set for yourself. You truly feel like youre embarrassing yourself. Yet, that was when United States ' Missy Franklin found something deep inside, something United States ' Missy Franklin always hoped was there but wouldnt really know until she went through such a trying ordeal. Its really easy to inspire people in success and when youre doing well. Its really hard to inspire people when youre failing, when youre falling on your butt, now I have to show up and be that person I always said I wanted to be in a situation like this. While this has been a solitary journey in many ways, Franklins husband has helped greatly in easing the transition from competitive swimming. When his wife-to-be was contemplating whether to have another surgery, he pointed out that there were far more important things still to come, that had nothing to do with being a star athlete. Theres always going to be a part of me thats still working through it, still reflecting and seeing what else I can take away from it.

  4. Willa Cather:

    Only solitary men know the full joys of friendship. Others have their family --but to a solitary and an exile his friends are everything.

  5. Craig Haney:

    I think the cost of solitary confinement is now being critically examined and rethought, and prison systems are beginning to ask themselves whether this is worth it, and whether or not it does not create more harm than good, courts are pushing them to consider the inhumanity of the practice, as well.

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Translations for solitary

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

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