solitary: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2formal, literary, descriptive
Quick answer
What does “solitary” mean?
done or existing alone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
done or existing alone; without companions.
characterized by or preferring isolation; occurring singly or in isolation; remote and secluded.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is remarkably consistent. 'Solitary confinement' is the standard term in both legal and penal contexts in both regions.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can imply loneliness (negative) or peaceful independence (positive/neutral), depending on context.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British English in literary contexts; equally common in formal/academic registers in both.
Grammar
How to Use “solitary” in a Sentence
lead a solitary [life/existence]live a solitary [life]keep solitary [vigil]a solitary [figure/tree/example]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “solitary” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He took a solitary ramble across the moor.
- The cottage stood as a solitary beacon in the valley.
- She has a rather solitary disposition.
American English
- He went for a solitary run along the beach.
- A solitary pine tree marked the summit.
- She preferred the solitary work of an archivist.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in 'solitary role' describing a position with minimal team interaction.
Academic
Common in psychology, sociology, and literature to describe states of isolation or unique specimens.
Everyday
Used to describe activities done alone ('a solitary drink') or people who keep to themselves.
Technical
Used in legal/penal contexts ('solitary confinement'), biology ('a solitary species'), and computing ('solitary process').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “solitary”
- Using 'solitary' for temporary aloneness ('I ate solitary' is wrong; 'I ate alone' is correct).
- Confusing 'solitary' with 'solidarity'.
- Overusing in place of simpler words like 'alone' or 'single'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Alone' is a neutral state of being by oneself. 'Solitary' often describes something characteristic or done in a state of being alone, sometimes by choice. 'Lonely' is the negative emotional feeling resulting from being alone.
Yes, but it's less common. As a noun, it can mean a person who lives alone, a recluse, or refer to solitary confinement (e.g., 'He was put in solitary').
It is context-dependent. It can be negative (solitary confinement, a solitary childhood) or positive/neutral (a solitary walk for peace, a solitary genius).
The strongest and most common collocation is 'solitary confinement', a fixed legal and penal term.
done or existing alone.
Solitary is usually formal, literary, descriptive in register.
Solitary: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɒl.ɪ.tri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɑː.lə.ter.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a solitary soul”
- “in solitary splendour (UK)/splendor (US)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SOLITARY as SO-LIT-ary: you are alone, so you light just one candle for yourself.
Conceptual Metaphor
ISOLATION IS A CONTAINER ('live in solitary state'); LONELINESS IS A PHYSICAL LOCATION ('a solitary outpost').
Practice
Quiz
Which of these best describes the core meaning of 'solitary'?