solitary
gb/sˈɑlətˌɛɹi/ us/sˈɑlətˌɛɹi/
B1
English
~ 3100
magányos, egyedül, egyedüli, egyetlen, magának való, társaságkerülő, magányos ember, remete, magánzárka, magánelzárás
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is solitary
She enjoyed the solitary walk along the beach at sunrise.
Élvezte a napfelkeltekor tett magányos sétát a tengerparton.
A solitary figure stood at the end of the pier.
Egy magányos alak állt a móló végén.
The mountain is home to a solitary eagle.
Learner examples
I like a solitary walk in the park.
Szeretem a magányos sétákat a parkban.
He is a solitary man.
Magányos férfi.
The cat is solitary and does not like other cats.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'solitary' with 'lonely'. 'Solitary' means simply being alone; 'lonely' means feeling sad because you are alone.
Meaning
Alone; without others
Collocations
solitary figure
|solitary life
|solitary walk
|solitary animal
Synonyms
alone (Common and general term for not being with others.)
|
isolated (Implies being separated from others, sometimes with a sense of distance or remoteness.)
Antonyms
social (Involving or enjoying the company of others.)
|
companioned (Having someone with you.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Definition
Being by yourself, with no other people or things around you.
Being alone, without the company of other people or things.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[something] is solitary
A solitary tree stood in the middle of the field.
Egy magányos fa állt a mező közepén.
There was only a solitary candle lighting the room.
Mindössze egyetlen gyertya világította meg a szobát.
He gave a solitary nod before leaving.
Learner examples
There is a solitary house on the hill.
Egy magányos ház áll a dombon.
A solitary bird sits on the roof.
Egy magányos madár ül a tetőn.
I saw a solitary star in the sky.
Meaning
Single; only one
Collocations
solitary tree
|solitary example
|solitary building
Synonyms
single (Most common term for 'only one'.)
|
lone (Emphasizes being the only one, often with a dramatic tone.)
Antonyms
multiple (More than one.)
|
several (A small number more than one.)
Themes
description
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Being the only one of its kind in a place.
Existing as the only one of its kind in a place or situation.
B2
3
magának való
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is solitary
He has always been a solitary person, happy in his own company.
Mindig is magának való ember volt, és jól érezte magát egyedül.
Her solitary nature made it hard for her to make friends.
Magának való természete miatt nehezen barátkozott.
Writers are often solitary by necessity.
Learner examples
She is a solitary woman.
Magának való nő.
My uncle is solitary and quiet.
A nagybátyám magának való és csendes.
I am solitary and like reading books.
Meaning
Preferring to be alone
Collocations
solitary person
|solitary nature
Synonyms
introverted (Focuses on personality type that prefers solitude.)
|
unsociable (Suggests an active dislike for company.)
Antonyms
gregarious (Enjoys being with other people.)
|
outgoing (Friendly and likes socializing.)
Themes
emotions
|personality
|relationships
Definition
Liking to be alone and not with other people.
Tending to spend time alone, avoiding social interaction.
NOUN
B2
4
remete
B2
He was a solitary, rarely seen at public events.
Magányos ember volt, nyilvános eseményeken ritkán lehetett látni.
The old man was a solitary who lived at the edge of town.
Az öreg magányos ember volt, aki a város szélén élt.
As a solitary, she valued her privacy above all else.
Learner examples
He is a solitary who lives in the forest.
Magányos ember, aki az erdőben él.
The man is a solitary by nature.
A férfi természeténél fogva magányos ember.
She became a solitary after her husband died.
Meaning
Person who is alone
Collocations
a solitary
Synonyms
loner (Informal term for someone who prefers to be alone.)
|
hermit (Someone living in seclusion, often for religious reasons.)
Antonyms
socialite (Someone who enjoys frequent social activities.)
Themes
emotions
|personality
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person who spends most of their time alone.
A person who is alone, especially by choice or habit.
B2
5
magánzárka
B2
magánelzárás
C1
The prisoner spent three months in solitary confinement.
A fogoly három hónapot töltött magánzárkában.
He was placed in solitary for breaking prison rules.
Magánzárkába tették, mert megszegte a börtönszabályokat.
Solitary conditions can have severe psychological effects.
Learner examples
The prisoner is in solitary confinement.
A rab magánzárkában van.
He stayed in solitary for ten days.
Tíz napot töltött magánzárkában.
The man was put in solitary after the fight.
Meaning
Confined alone as punishment
Collocations
solitary confinement
Synonyms
isolated (General term for being kept apart from others; less specific to prison context.)
Antonyms
communal (Shared with others, opposite of being kept alone.)
Themes
law
|health
Definition
Kept alone in a prison cell as punishment.
Kept alone in a cell away from others as a form of punishment in prison.
Grammar
Dictionary form
solitary
IPA
GB/sˈɑlətˌɛɹi/
US/sˈɑlətˌɛɹi/
Syllables & stress
sol - it - ary (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sol)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: solitary
Noun
- Base: solitary
- Plural: solitaries, solitary
Word family
Forms
solitaries
noun
Core family
solitude
noun B2
Related words
solitarily
adverb
solo
adjective A2
Advanced or less common
solitariness
noun C1
Expressions
solitary confinement
1/sˈɑlətˌɛɹi kənfˈaɪnmənt/
fixed phrase
formal
being imprisoned alone in a cell
A type of prison punishment where a person is kept alone in a small room and is not allowed to see or talk to other prisoners.
Examples
- The court ruled that holding juveniles in solitary confinement for long periods was unconstitutional.
- He spent six months in solitary confinement after attacking a guard.
solitary confinement
2/sˈɑlətˌɛɹi kənfˈaɪnmənt/
fixed phrase
Prison isolation punishment
When someone in prison is kept alone in a cell as punishment or for safety.
Examples
- The suspect was placed in solitary confinement for his own protection.
- Solitary confinement can cause mental health problems.