separate, apart, or isolated from others: I want to be alone.
2.
to the exclusion of all others or all else: One cannot live by bread alone.
3.
unique; unequaled; unexcelled: He is alone among his peers in devotion to duty.
–adverb
4.
solitarily; solely: She prefers to live alone.
5.
only; exclusively.
6.
without aid or help: The baby let go of the side of the crib and stood alone.
—Idioms
7.
leave alone,
a.
to allow (someone) to be by himself or herself: Leave him alone—he wants to rest.
b.
to refrain from annoying or interfering with: The youngsters wouldn't leave the dog alone, and he finally turned on them.
8.
let alone,
a.
to refrain from annoying or interfering with.
b.
not to mention: He was too tired to walk, let alone run.
9.
let well enough alone, to be satisfied with the existing situation; refrain from attempting to change conditions: Marriages are often destroyed by relatives who will not let well enough alone.
—Synonyms 1. single, solitary; unaccompanied, unattended. Alone,lone,lonely,lonesome all imply being without companionship or association. Alone is colorless unless reinforced by all; it then suggests solitariness or desolation: alone in the house; all alone on an island. Lone is somewhat poetic or is intended humorously: a lone sentinel. Lonely implies a sad or disquieting feeling of isolation. Lonesome connotes emotion, a longing for companionship.
Considered separately from all others of the same class.
Being without equal; unique.
adv.
Without others: sang alone while the choir listened.
Without help: carried the suitcases alone.
Exclusively; only: The burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone.
[Middle English : al, all; see all + one, one; see one.]
a·lone'ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives describe lack of companionship. Alone emphasizes being apart from others but does not necessarily imply unhappiness: "I am never less alone, than when I am alone" (James Howell).
Lonely often connotes painful awareness of being alone: "'No doubt they are dead,' she thought, and felt . . . sadder and . . . lonelier for the thought" (Ouida).
Lonesome emphasizes a plaintive desire for companionship: "You must keep up your spirits, mother, and not be lonesome because I'm not at home" (Charles Dickens).
Solitary often stresses physical isolation that is self-imposed: I thoroughly enjoyed my solitary dinner.
isolated from others; "could be alone in a crowded room"; "was alone with her thoughts"; "I want to be alone"
2.
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"
3.
exclusive of anyone or anything else; "she alone believed him"; "cannot live by bread alone"; "I'll have this car and this car only"
4.
radically distinctive and without equal; "he is alone in the field of microbiology"; "this theory is altogether alone in its penetration of the problem"; "Bach was unique in his handling of counterpoint"; "craftsmen whose skill is unequaled"; "unparalleled athletic ability"; "a breakdown of law unparalleled in our history"
adverb
1.
without any others being included or involved; "was entirely to blame"; "a school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children"; "he works for Mr. Smith exclusively"; "did it solely for money"; "the burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone"; "a privilege granted only to him" [syn: entirely]
2.
without anybody else or anything else; "the child stayed home alone"; "the pillar stood alone, supporting nothing"; "he flew solo"
A*lone"\, a. [All + one. OE. al one all allone, AS. [=a]n one, alone. See All, One, Lone.]1. Quite by one's self; apart from, or exclusive of, others; single; solitary; -- applied to a person or thing. Alone on a wide, wide sea. --Coleridge. It is not good that the man should be alone. --Gen. ii. 18. 2. Of or by itself; by themselves; without any thing more or any one else; without a sharer; only. Man shall not live by bread alone. --Luke iv. 4. The citizens alone should be at the expense. --Franklin. 3. Sole; only; exclusive. [R.] God, by whose alone power and conversation we all live, and move, and have our being. --Bentley. 4. Hence; Unique; rare; matchless. --Shak. Note: The adjective alone commonly follows its noun. Tolet or leavealone, to abstain from interfering with or molesting; to suffer to remain in its present state.
A*lone"\, a. [All + one. OE. al one all allone, AS. [=a]n one, alone. See All, One, Lone.]1. Quite by one's self; apart from, or exclusive of, others; single; solitary; -- applied to a person or thing. Alone on a wide, wide sea. --Coleridge. It is not good that the man should be alone. --Gen. ii. 18. 2. Of or by itself; by themselves; without any thing more or any one else; without a sharer; only. Man shall not live by bread alone. --Luke iv. 4. The citizens alone should be at the expense. --Franklin. 3. Sole; only; exclusive. [R.] God, by whose alone power and conversation we all live, and move, and have our being. --Bentley. 4. Hence; Unique; rare; matchless. --Shak. Note: The adjective alone commonly follows its noun. Tolet or leavealone, to abstain from interfering with or molesting; to suffer to remain in its present state.