What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lonely
Example
She felt lonely after moving to a new city where she didn't know anyone. [lonely: adjective]
Example
The old house on the hill looked lonely, with no signs of life around it. [lonely: adjective]
desolate
Example
The desert was desolate, with nothing but sand dunes as far as the eye could see. [desolate: adjective]
Example
After the war, the town was left desolate, with buildings destroyed and people gone. [desolate: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lonely is a more commonly used word than desolate in everyday language. It is a common emotion that many people experience at some point in their lives. Desolate is a less common word and often used in more extreme situations, such as describing a post-apocalyptic landscape or a war-torn city.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between lonely and desolate?
Both lonely and desolate can be used in formal and informal contexts, but desolate may be perceived as more formal due to its less frequent usage.
