solitary
gb/sˈɑlətˌɛɹi/ us/sˈɑlətˌɛɹi/
B1
English
~ 3100
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
state
1
Alone; without others
Being by yourself, with no other people or things around you.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is solitary
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'solitary' with 'lonely'. 'Solitary' means simply being alone; 'lonely' means feeling sad because you are alone.
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.)
Collocations
solitary figure
|solitary life
|solitary walk
|solitary animal
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Examples
- She enjoyed the solitary walk along the beach at sunrise.
- A solitary figure stood at the end of the pier.
- The mountain is home to a solitary eagle.
Learner examples
- I like a solitary walk in the park.
- He is a solitary man.
- The cat is solitary and does not like other cats.
adjective
B1
state
2
Single; only one
Being the only one of its kind in a place.
Usage pattern:
[something] is solitary
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.)
Collocations
solitary tree
|solitary example
|solitary building
Themes
description
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- A solitary tree stood in the middle of the field.
- There was only a solitary candle lighting the room.
- He gave a solitary nod before leaving.
Learner examples
- There is a solitary house on the hill.
- A solitary bird sits on the roof.
- I saw a solitary star in the sky.
adjective
B2
property
3
Preferring to be alone
Liking to be alone and not with other people.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is solitary
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.)
Collocations
solitary person
|solitary nature
Themes
emotions
|personality
|relationships
Examples
- He has always been a solitary person, happy in his own company.
- Her solitary nature made it hard for her to make friends.
- Writers are often solitary by necessity.
Learner examples
- She is a solitary woman.
- My uncle is solitary and quiet.
- I am solitary and like reading books.
Noun
B2
entity
4
Person who is alone
A person who spends most of their time alone.
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.)
Collocations
a solitary
Themes
emotions
|personality
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He was a solitary, rarely seen at public events.
- The old man was a solitary who lived at the edge of town.
- As a solitary, she valued her privacy above all else.
Learner examples
- He is a solitary who lives in the forest.
- The man is a solitary by nature.
- She became a solitary after her husband died.
adjective
B2
state
5
Confined alone as punishment
Kept alone in a prison cell as punishment.
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.)
Collocations
solitary confinement
Themes
law
|health
Examples
- The prisoner spent three months in solitary confinement.
- He was placed in solitary for breaking prison rules.
- Solitary conditions can have severe psychological effects.
Learner examples
- The prisoner is in solitary confinement.
- He stayed in solitary for ten days.
- The man was put in solitary after the fight.
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.