solitary
alone; without companions; unattended: a solitary passer-by.
living alone; avoiding the society of others: a solitary existence.
by itself; alone: one solitary house.
characterized by the absence of companions: a solitary journey.
done without assistance or accompaniment; done in solitude: solitary chores.
being the only one: a solitary exception.
characterized by solitude, as a place; unfrequented, secluded, or lonely: a solitary cabin in the woods.
Zoology. living habitually alone or in pairs, as certain wasps.: Compare social (def. 11).
a person who lives alone or in solitude, or avoids the society of others.
a person who lives in solitude from religious motives.
Origin of solitary
1Other words for solitary
Other words from solitary
- sol·i·tar·i·ly, adverb
- sol·i·tar·i·ness, noun
- un·sol·i·tar·y, adjective
Words Nearby solitary
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use solitary in a sentence
His careful, solitary work helped reveal individual cells of the brain that together create wider networks.
Famous brain sketches come to life again as embroideries | Laura Sanders | February 4, 2021 | Science NewsResearchers had long thought they were solitary, nocturnal hunters.
Some electric eels coordinate their attacks to zap prey | Jonathan Lambert | January 25, 2021 | Science News For StudentsFly-fishing is a solitary pursuit, and I figured those states would have built-in social distancing.
In Big Sky country, a pandemic-era fly-fishing getaway | Carl Fincke | January 21, 2021 | Washington PostI can’t say enough about that for young children and music, that if their parents can invest that time with them, it makes it a less solitary thing.
Joanne Rogers, memory-keeper of ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,’ dies at 92 | Emily Langer | January 14, 2021 | Washington PostShe’d heard that the rats were solitary, so her first catch should have emptied the territory.
Rats with poisonous hairdos live surprisingly sociable private lives | Susan Milius | January 12, 2021 | Science News
They are impressive animals, solitary hunters blessed with incredible power and athleticism.
This Tiger Has Some Serious Ups | Jack Holmes, The Daily Beast Video | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTOnce transferred to Karaj Prison, he spent an additional 15 days in solitary confinement.
A Daughter’s Plea: Free My Father from Prison in Iran | Mitra Pourshajari, Movements.Org, Advancing Human Rights | December 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI was put in a solitary confinement completely cut off from the outside world without even enjoying basic prisoner rights.
A Daughter’s Plea: Free My Father from Prison in Iran | Mitra Pourshajari, Movements.Org, Advancing Human Rights | December 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI have been told that, if I continue with this protest, I will be placed in solitary confinement.
An American Marine in Iran’s Prisons Goes on Hunger Strike | IranWire | December 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTLivvix, 30, is now in solitary confinement in the maximum-security Ayalon prison in Ramla, a city near Tel Aviv.
The Strange Case of the Christian Zionist Terrorist | Creede Newton | December 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe light which discovered its dismal bounds to his solitary eyes, came from a small grated aperture in the vaulted roof.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterIt has been years since they have had a license at our tavern, so there was a solitary man in the bar-room when I entered.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson Lloyd"I was playin' sock-ball," snuffled the boy, and a solitary tear rolled down his snub nose.
The Soldier of the Valley | Nelson LloydWith these words the matron dropped into her chair, and, once more resting her elbow on the table, thought of her solitary fate.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3) | Charles DickensIt needs better evidence to stamp this solitary suggestion of a blot on the clear scutcheon of Douglas.
King Robert the Bruce | A. F. Murison
British Dictionary definitions for solitary
/ (ˈsɒlɪtərɪ, -trɪ) /
following or enjoying a life of solitude: a solitary disposition
experienced or performed alone: a solitary walk
(of a place) unfrequented
(prenominal) single; sole: a solitary speck in the sky
having few companions; lonely
(of animals) not living in organized colonies or large groups: solitary bees; a solitary elephant Compare social (def. 7), gregarious (def. 2)
(of flowers) growing singly
a person who lives in seclusion; hermit; recluse
informal short for solitary confinement
Origin of solitary
1Derived forms of solitary
- solitarily, adverb
- solitariness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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