lonely

/ˈləʊnli/

adjective★Intermediate

informal

Feeling sad or isolated because one lacks companionship or social interaction.

He often feels lonely working from home.

He often feels sad and disconnected while working alone at home.

The elderly can become lonely if they don't have regular visitors.

Older people may feel sad and isolated if they don't receive frequent visits.

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Often used to describe emotional isolation, not just physical solitude.

Collocations

feel lonelyto experience sadness due to lack of companionshiplonely hearta person who is romantically alone and seeking a partner

lonely at the topphrase

the idea that leaders or successful people often feel isolated

lonely planetphrase

a planet without a moon or other celestial bodies nearby

'Lonely' emphasizes emotional isolation, not just being physically alone. Someone can be physically alone but not feel lonely.

Use 'lonely' to describe emotional states, not just physical presence. For physical absence, consider 'alone'.

From Middle English 'loneliche', from Old English 'anlīc' meaning 'single, solitary', from 'an-' (one) + 'līc' (body).

Can describe both physical and emotional states. Often used to express deep emotional isolation rather than just being physically alone.

lonely

sad due to lack of companionship

root

English Dictionary