What does "solitary" mean?
One who lives alone, or in solitude; an anchorite, hermit or recluse.
Solitary
/ˈsɑlɪˌtɛɹi/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: One who lives alone, or in solitude; an anchorite, hermit or recluse.
- Grammar: solitary is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: alone, lone, a certain, abandoned.
- Useful contrasts: sociable, animal group, archaeal mutualism network.
- Usage evidence: He likes to take a solitary walk.
How to use "solitary"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "solitary" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "solitary" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "solitary" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "solitary" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "solitary" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "alone" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "solitary", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 One who lives alone, or in solitude; an anchorite, hermit or recluse. countable
"He brooded and intrigued fantastically. He was becoming one of the big-time solitaries. And he wasn't meant to be a solitary. He was meant to be in active life, a social creature."
- 2 Archaic form of solitaire (“Rodrigues solitaire”). alt-of, archaic
- 3 one who lives in solitude wordnet
- 4 Ellipsis of solitary confinement. abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, uncountable
"The prisoners who started the riot were moved to solitary."
- 5 confinement of a prisoner in isolation from other prisoners wordnet
Show 1 more definition
- 6 The state of being solitary; solitude uncountable
"You must wonder why I'm relentless and all strung out/I'm consumed by the chill of solitary"
Adjective
- 1 Living or being by oneself; alone; having no companion present not-comparable
"The solitary, lumbering trolls of Scandinavian mythology would sometimes be turned to stone by exposure to sunlight. Barack Obama is hoping that several measures announced on June 4th will have a similarly paralysing effect on their modern incarnation, the patent troll."
- 2 Performed, passed, or endured alone. not-comparable
"a solitary journey"
- 3 Not much visited or frequented; remote from society not-comparable
"a solitary residence or place"
- 4 Not inhabited or occupied; without signs of inhabitants or occupation; desolate; deserted not-comparable
"the solitary desert"
- 5 Gloomy; dismal, because of not being inhabited. not-comparable
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 Single; individual; sole. not-comparable
"a solitary example"
- 7 Not associated with others of the same kind. not-comparable
Adjective
- 1 devoid of creatures wordnet
- 2 being the only one; single and isolated from others wordnet
- 3 characterized by or preferring solitude wordnet
- 4 lacking companions or companionship wordnet
- 5 of plants and animals; not growing or living in groups or colonies wordnet
Example
"He likes to take a solitary walk."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "solitary"?
Common synonyms include: alone, lone, a certain, abandoned, alien, alienated.
How do you use "solitary" in a sentence?
He likes to take a solitary walk.
How do you pronounce "solitary"?
Pronounced /ˈsɑlɪˌtɛɹi/.
Etymology
From Middle English solitarie, borrowed from Latin sōlitārius. Doublet of solitaire.