solitaire: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal (jewelry), Semi-formal to informal (card game), Specialized (ornithology)
Quick answer
What does “solitaire” mean?
A single gemstone, especially a diamond, set alone in a piece of jewelry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A single gemstone, especially a diamond, set alone in a piece of jewelry.
1. Any of various card games played by one person alone. 2. A large extinct flightless bird related to the dodo. 3. A single, large, prominent gemstone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In card games, 'solitaire' is overwhelmingly American; the British equivalent term is 'patience'. The jewelry meaning is consistent in both.
Connotations
US: Strongly associated with the card game. UK: Primarily associated with the jewelry term; card game is recognized but 'patience' is preferred.
Frequency
Higher frequency in US English due to the card game. In UK English, usage is more specialized to jewelers and antique dealers.
Grammar
How to Use “solitaire” in a Sentence
She wore a [solitaire] on her finger.He spent the afternoon playing [solitaire].The museum displayed a [solitaire] from the 18th century.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “solitaire” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The solitaire diamond shone brilliantly.
- A solitaire card game can be quite challenging.
American English
- She preferred a solitaire setting for her engagement ring.
- The computer's solitaire program is a classic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In jewelry retail: 'The solitaire remains our best-selling engagement ring style.'
Academic
In history/ornithology: 'The Rodrigues solitaire was hunted to extinction in the 18th century.'
Everyday
US: 'I'm just killing time playing solitaire on my phone.' UK: 'He proposed with a stunning solitaire.'
Technical
In gemology: 'A four-prong solitaire setting maximizes light exposure to the stone.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “solitaire”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “solitaire”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “solitaire”
- Using 'solitaire' to refer to a multi-stone ring (incorrect).
- Spelling as 'solitair' or 'solitar'.
- In UK English, using 'solitaire' for the card game sounds Americanized.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for card games. 'Patience' is the common British term, while 'solitaire' is the common American term for the same type of one-player card game.
Yes, but it's less common. A 'solitaire' typically refers to a ring or earring with a single prominent stone. A necklace would more precisely be called a 'pendant with a solitaire stone'.
A solitaire featuring a large, flawless, brilliantly cut diamond of high colourless grade (D-F) would be among the most expensive.
Yes, the digital version is based on the real card game of 'Klondike Solitaire', which has been played with physical cards for over a century.
A single gemstone, especially a diamond, set alone in a piece of jewelry.
Solitaire is usually formal (jewelry), semi-formal to informal (card game), specialized (ornithology) in register.
Solitaire: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɒl.ɪˈteər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɑː.lə.ter/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As lonely as a game of solitaire.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SOLITAIRE = SOLO + STONE. Think of playing a game SOLO or wearing a SINGLE (solo) STONE.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOLITUDE/VALUE. The word maps the abstract concept of being alone onto objects (a single stone, a one-player game), often imbuing that solitude with connotations of elegance, simplicity, or self-contained value.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'solitaire' LEAST likely be used in modern British English?