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alone

 - 4 dictionary results

a⋅lone

  [uh-lohn]
Use alone in a Sentence
–adjective (used predicatively)
1. 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.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME al one all (wholly) one

Related forms:
a⋅lone⋅ness, noun

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.

Antonyms:
1. accompanied.

Usage note:
7, 8. See leave 1 .
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To alone
a·lone   (ə-lōn')   
adj.  

  1. Being apart from others; solitary.

  2. Being without anyone or anything else; only.

  3. Considered separately from all others of the same class.

  4. Being without equal; unique.

adv.  

  1. Without others: sang alone while the choir listened.

  2. Without help: carried the suitcases alone.

  3. 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

alone 
c.1300 contraction of O.E. all ana "all by oneself," from all "all, wholly" + an "one." Similar compounds found in Ger. (allein) and Du. (alleen).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

alone

see go it alone; leave someone alone; leave well enough alone; let alone.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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