solitary

solitary — adjective

1. describes a person or thing that stays or exists by itself, without any others n

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes a person or thing that stays or exists by itself, without any others nearby

Example

A solitary figure stood at the far end of the empty train platform.

collocation: solitary figure

Haruto spotted a solitary tree growing on the rocky hillside above the river.

Common collocations
  • solitary figure
  • solitary tree
  • solitary life
  • solitary traveller
  • solitary house
Synonyms
  • alone

    more general; can be temporary or neutral

  • isolated

    emphasises being cut off or separated from others

  • lone

    literary or formal; always before a noun

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

solitary + noun

Usage Note

Frequently used before a noun to emphasise that there is only one person or thing in sight. Often paired with locations that suggest emptiness (desert, platform, hillside, sea).

Common Mistakes

I felt solitary in the new city.
I felt lonely in the new city.
'solitary' describes a physical state of being alone, not the sad emotion of missing others.

2. carried out or experienced without any other people joining in

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

carried out or experienced without any other people joining in

Example

Mathieu enjoys taking solitary walks along the river early in the morning.

collocation: solitary walk

After a long day at the office Gita preferred a solitary meal at home.

Common collocations
  • solitary walk
  • solitary meal
  • solitary work
  • solitary afternoon
  • solitary activity
Synonyms
  • alone

    used after a verb ('did it alone') rather than before a noun

  • solo

    common for performances or trips; slightly more informal

  • unaccompanied

    formal; often used for travel or music

Antonyms
  • group

    done with others, as in 'group activity'

Grammar Patterns

solitary + noun (activity)

Usage Note

Only used before a noun (attributive position). The activity itself is the focus — the person may or may not enjoy being alone.

3. having a character that enjoys or prefers being on one's own, without regular co

3.adjectiveB2
Definition

having a character that enjoys or prefers being on one's own, without regular contact with others

Example

Ezra has always been a solitary child who feels fine playing alone for hours.

solitary child — describes personality, not circumstance

The elderly woman next door is quite solitary and rarely visits the neighbours.

Common collocations
  • solitary person
  • solitary child
  • solitary nature
  • solitary creature
  • solitary sort
Synonyms
  • unsociable

    can sound slightly negative; suggests avoiding people

  • reclusive

    stronger; describes someone who actively withdraws from society

  • introverted

    psychological term; prefers quiet, low-stimulation environments

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

solitary + noun (person/animal)

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 (ALONE AND ISOLATED): sense 1 focuses on a physical state at a moment in time; this sense describes a lasting personality trait. The subject is typically a person or animal.

4. of a place — positioned far from towns or busy areas, so that it feels quiet and

4.adjectiveB2
Definition

of a place — positioned far from towns or busy areas, so that it feels quiet and empty

Example

The Kim family rented a solitary cottage deep in the forest for the whole summer.

collocation: solitary cottage / solitary house

The island is known for its solitary beaches that tourists rarely visit.

Common collocations
  • solitary cottage
  • solitary beach
  • solitary landscape
  • solitary cabin
  • solitary valley
Synonyms
  • remote

    emphasises distance from civilisation

  • secluded

    suggests privacy and being hidden from view

  • desolate

    stronger; suggests emptiness that may feel sad or barren

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

solitary + noun (place)

Usage Note

Only used before a noun (attributive). The place itself is not 'alone' — the word paints a picture of deep quiet and lack of human activity.

solitary — noun

Word family

  • solitude
    nounB2
  • solitarily
    adverbC1
  • solitary confinement
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words relate to being without others, but they differ in emotion and use. 'Alone' is the most neutral — it simply states the fact of being by yourself ('She ate dinner alone'). 'Lonely' adds a feeling of sadness or longing for company ('He felt lonely in the big city'). 'Isolated' suggests being physically separated or cut off from others, often by circumstances ('The village was isolated by the flood'). 'Lone' is a more literary or formal adjective that always appears before a noun ('a lone figure') and is close in meaning to 'solitary' but less common. For describing a person or object that is simply the only one in sight, 'solitary' and 'lone' are the closest matches; use 'alone' for a neutral statement of fact and 'lonely' only when sadness is intended.

alone ↗lonely ↗isolated ↗lone ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • solitary figure
  • solitary life
  • solitary confinement
  • solitary walk

Adverbs

  • completely solitary
  • mostly solitary
  • largely solitary

Phrases

  • in solitary
  • a solitary by nature
  • live a solitary life

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

From Latin 'solitarius' meaning 'alone, isolated', which itself comes from 'solus' meaning 'alone, only'. The word entered English through Old French 'solitare' in the 14th century, first used to describe a person living alone, and later extended to places and activities.