solo
gb/sˈoʊloʊ/ us/sˈoʊloʊ/
A2
English
~ 4800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
event
1
Performance by one person
A performance done by one person without help from others.
Usage pattern:
[someone] performs a solo
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'solo' with 'soloist'. 'Solo' refers to the performance itself, while 'soloist' is the person performing it.
Synonyms
monologue (Used for spoken or dramatic solo performances, especially in theater.)
|
solo performance (Direct synonym emphasizing the act itself.)
Antonyms
ensemble (Refers to a group performance, the opposite of performing alone.)
Collocations
play a solo
|sing a solo
|guitar solo
|drum solo
|piano solo
Themes
music
|arts
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The guitarist played an incredible solo during the concert.
- She was nervous before singing her solo in the school play.
- The saxophone solo was the highlight of the song.
- He performed a stunning solo on the piano.
- The dance solo captivated the audience.
Learner examples
- She sang a solo in the show.
- The man played a guitar solo.
- He did a dance solo.
- I liked her piano solo.
adjective
B1
property
2
Done alone by one person
Done by one person, without help from others.
Usage pattern:
a solo [activity]
Common mistake:
Some learners might confuse 'solo' used as an adjective with 'alone' used as an adverb. 'Solo' describes the activity, not how it feels.
Synonyms
single-handed (Emphasizes doing something entirely alone, often with effort.)
Antonyms
team (Involves two or more people working together.)
Collocations
solo trip
|solo flight
|solo journey
|solo project
Themes
daily life
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She took a solo trip across Europe.
- He completed a solo flight around the world.
- The climber made a successful solo ascent of the mountain.
- I enjoy going on solo hikes to clear my mind.
- Her first novel was a solo project.
Learner examples
- I went on a solo trip.
- He made a solo climb.
- She did the work as a solo project.
- He went on a solo walk.
Verb
B2
action
3
To perform alone
To perform music alone, not with other people.
Usage pattern:
[someone] solos [in something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'solo' as a verb with 'go solo' meaning to act independently outside of music contexts.
Synonyms
improvise (In certain musical contexts, especially jazz, 'solo' can involve improvisation.)
Antonyms
accompany (To play or perform alongside another performer.)
Collocations
solo in jazz band
|guitarist solos
Themes
music
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The saxophonist will solo during the bridge of the song.
- She loves to solo in jazz performances.
- He solos beautifully on the violin.
Learner examples
- He will solo in the song.
- She likes to solo in concerts.
- The man will solo on guitar.
Noun
B2
entity
4
Activity done alone
An activity done by one person without help.
Synonyms
solitary effort (Emphasizes being alone and self-reliant in doing something.)
Antonyms
joint effort (An activity or task done with another person or group.)
Collocations
go on a solo
|attempt a solo
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- His first mountain climb was a dangerous solo.
- She completed the desert crossing as a solo.
- The sailor's round-the-world trip was a remarkable solo.
Learner examples
- He did the climb as a solo.
- She made the trip as a solo.
- The race was a solo for him.
Grammar
Dictionary form
solo
IPA
GB/sˈoʊloʊ/
US/sˈoʊloʊ/
Syllables & stress
solo (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (solo)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: solo
Noun
- Base: solo
- Plural: soli, solos
Verb
- Base: solo
- 3rd Person Singular: solos
- Present Participle: soloing
- Past: soloed
Word family
Forms
soli
noun
solos
noun
soloing
verb
soloed
verb
Core family
soloist
noun
Related words
duet
noun
Highlights
- Irregular 3rd person singular: solos Verb
Expressions
fly solo
2/flˈaɪ sˈoʊloʊ/
idiom
informal
Do something alone
To do something alone, without help or partners.
Examples
- I usually study with friends, but today I’ll fly solo.
- He decided to fly solo for his next project.
go solo
1/ɡˈoʊ sˈoʊloʊ/
fixed phrase
Start acting alone
To begin working or acting alone, not with other people or groups.
Examples
- After five years with the band, she decided to go solo.
- The entrepreneur left the company to go solo with his own business.