solitary Definition
- 1done or existing alone
- 2not shared with others
- 3single; only
- 4isolated and lonely
- 5a place where a person lives alone
Using solitary: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "solitary" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He spent a solitary evening at home.
Example
The prisoner was kept in solitary confinement for weeks.
Example
She enjoys solitary walks in the countryside.
Example
The island is a solitary place, with no other inhabitants.
solitary Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using solitary
a person who is alone and isolated, often in a way that suggests sadness or melancholy
Example
He stood on the hilltop, a solitary figure against the sunset.
Example
Reading is a solitary pursuit that she enjoys in her free time.
Example
His solitary vice was smoking, which he tried to hide from his family.
Phrases with solitary
Example
Tigers are solitary animals and prefer to hunt alone.
Example
Mason bees are solitary bees that nest in small holes in wood.
a form of imprisonment in which a prisoner is isolated from any human contact, often for extended periods of time
Example
The use of solitary confinement as a punishment has been criticized by human rights groups.
Origins of solitary
from Latin 'solitarius', meaning 'lonely'
Summary: solitary in Brief
The term 'solitary' [ˈsɒlɪt(ə)ri] refers to being alone or existing without others. It can describe a person, place, or thing, such as 'solitary confinement.' The word can also denote a preference for being alone, as in 'She enjoys solitary walks in the countryside.' 'Solitary' has idiomatic uses, such as 'a solitary figure,' implying isolation and sadness, and 'solitary pursuit,' indicating a hobby or pastime done alone.