solo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1neutral
Quick answer
What does “solo” mean?
done by one person alone, without assistance or accompaniment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
done by one person alone, without assistance or accompaniment
A piece of music for a single performer; an unaccompanied flight by a pilot; any activity performed alone; in card games, a declaration to play alone against opponents
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Both use 'solo' across all parts of speech. Spelling identical.
Connotations
Similar connotations of independence, skill, and sometimes isolation in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English across registers.
Grammar
How to Use “solo” in a Sentence
to solo (on something)to go soloto perform soloto fly soloVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “solo” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She will solo on the clarinet during the concert.
- He's preparing to solo for his pilot's licence.
American English
- He soloed on guitar at the jazz club.
- She soloed in a Cessna last weekend.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to entrepreneurs or freelancers working independently: 'She left the firm to go solo.'
Academic
Used in musicology, aviation studies, and psychology (e.g., solo performance anxiety).
Everyday
Common in discussions about music, travel, sports, and personal activities done alone.
Technical
In aviation: a solo flight; in music: a solo passage; in gaming: solo mode.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “solo”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “solo”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “solo”
- Using 'solo' as a verb incorrectly: 'He solos the piano' (better: 'He performs a piano solo' or 'He solos on the piano').
- Overusing 'solo' when 'alone' or 'by myself' would be more natural in casual speech.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, particularly in music ('to solo on an instrument') and aviation ('to solo an aircraft').
'Alone' is a more general state of being by oneself. 'Solo' often implies a deliberate, skilled, or performed activity done alone, especially in arts, sports, or aviation.
No significant differences in usage, though you might hear 'solo' as a verb slightly more in American aviation contexts.
Strong collocations include 'solo flight', 'solo album', 'solo performance', and the phrasal verb 'go solo'.
done by one person alone, without assistance or accompaniment.
Solo is usually neutral in register.
Solo: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsəʊləʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsoʊloʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “fly solo”
- “go solo”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SOLO as 'SOmeone LOoking for independence' – the O's remind you of one person standing alone.
Conceptual Metaphor
INDEPENDENCE IS A SOLO PERFORMANCE; ISOLATION IS FLYING SOLO
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'solo' LEAST likely to be used?