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solitary
/ˈsɒlɪtɛri/
alone or isolated
She lived a solitary life in the countryside.
She lived alone and isolated in the countryside.
general
existing, living, or occurring alone or without companions
The prisoner was kept in solitary confinement.
The prisoner was kept alone in a cell with no contact.
He enjoyed solitary walks in the forest.
He enjoyed walking alone in the forest.
Often used to describe a state of being alone, especially when it involves isolation or loneliness.
general
single or unique of its kind
The solitary tree stood in the middle of the field.
The single tree stood alone in the middle of the field.
Used to describe something that is the only one of its kind in a particular place or context.
Collocations
solitary confinementthe practice of keeping a prisoner alone in a cellsolitary lifea life lived alone, often with little social interaction
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Common Usage
Use 'solitary' to describe someone or something that is alone, whether by choice or circumstance.
Word Origin
From Latin 'solitarius', meaning 'alone, lonely', from 'solus' meaning 'alone'.
Usage Notes
Can describe both physical isolation and emotional loneliness. Often used in legal contexts to describe solitary confinement.
Word Breakdown
sol
alone
root-itary
relating to
suffixEnglish Dictionary