loneliness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "loneliness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the state of being alone or feeling isolated, often in a context discussing emotions or mental health. Example: "After moving to a new city, she struggled with feelings of loneliness and missed her friends back home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The reason they are drinking so much alcohol is because of other, hugely significant, problems in their lives: poverty, mental illness, housing difficulties, domestic violence, loneliness.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is The Theory of Everything and The Imitation Game which are the two films expected to predominate at this year's Baftas, the weirdly fortuitous pairing of two distinguished, intelligent, slightly theatrical performances and two brilliant British scientists cursed with the traditional qualities glibly associated with genius: shyness, loneliness, and disability of various sorts.

The Guardian - Film

When loneliness takes hold, the ways we see ourselves and others, along with the kinds of responses we expect from others, are heavily influenced by both our feelings of unhappiness and threat".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I call Professor Cacioppo, co-author of the loneliness book.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But it has much going for it: "Volunteeers overcome loneliness, meet friends, gain skills, get jobs and just feel good about themselves".

The Guardian

Men with poor health, low incomes, few qualifications and living in rented housing are hit hardest by loneliness, which Independent Age defines as the feeling of not liking isolation.

The Guardian

Society's wider fear of loneliness is compounded by a "phobia" of old age with the effect of inhibiting attempts to tackle the problem, she added.

The Guardian

I craved connection, but had no idea how to create it, and so wound up in a loop: I was so often lonely, I assumed that loneliness was all there was.

The Guardian - Opinion

In later years one of his favourite TV programmes was Dinner Ladies, "because it's about loneliness".

The Guardian

Barnett plays with extremes: her shape-shifting vocals, sometimes multi-tracked to heavenly effect, enable her to seem as strong as a statue or as fragile as glass within the space of a single song as she explores lust, obsession, loneliness and tormented self-examination with unnerving precision.

The Guardian - Music

On Monday Independent Age will call on the government to tackle loneliness among retirees by providing pre-retirement advice on retaining and developing social networks and for local councils to step up efforts to identify lonely people.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "loneliness", consider the specific emotional and social context. Is it a chosen solitude, or an unwanted isolation? The nuance will shape your message.

Common error

Avoid using "loneliness" as a blanket term for all forms of being alone. Recognize that solitude can be positive, while "loneliness" typically implies a negative emotional state.

Linguistic Context

Loneliness primarily functions as a noun, referring to a state or feeling of being alone and isolated. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a feeling of depression resulting from being alone or the condition or state of being lonely.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Lifestyle

25%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Books

5%

Tech

3%

Travel

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Based on the analysis, "loneliness" is a grammatically sound noun widely used to express feelings of isolation and social disconnection. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's a common term, frequently found in News & Media and Lifestyle contexts. When writing about "loneliness", it's important to distinguish it from solitude, as "loneliness" typically carries a negative connotation. Consider using related terms like "isolation" or "sense of detachment" to capture specific nuances. Be mindful to avoid overgeneralizing the term and recognize the potential for solitude to be a positive experience. Finally, remember to consider the emotional and social context when using the word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

social isolation

Highlights the lack of social contact and interaction.

feeling of isolation

Emphasizes the subjective experience of being separated from others.

lack of companionship

Emphasizes the absence of friendly association.

state of solitude

Highlights the condition of being alone, often by choice.

feelings of abandonment

Conveys a sense of being deserted or left behind.

sense of detachment

Focuses on the emotional distance from people or things.

desolation

Refers to the feeling of emptiness or sadness caused by isolation.

being alone

A simpler, more direct way to express the state of not being with others.

feeling forlorn

Conveys a sense of being abandoned or desolate.

heartbreak

Refers to the intense emotional suffering or distress, often related to loss and separation.

FAQs

How can I use the word "loneliness" in a sentence?

You can use "loneliness" to describe a state of feeling isolated and alone, such as, "The move to a new city brought about feelings of intense loneliness."

What words can I use instead of "loneliness"?

Alternatives include "isolation", "solitude", "desolation", or "forlornness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "loneliness" and "isolation"?

"Loneliness" is a subjective feeling of being alone or separated from others, while "isolation" is an objective state of being physically apart. You can be isolated without feeling lonely, and vice versa.

What causes feelings of "loneliness"?

Feelings of "loneliness" can stem from various factors, including social isolation, lack of meaningful relationships, loss of a loved one, or major life transitions.