solitary

USAGE SUMMARY

'solitary' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that means "done by one person without assistance, alone". Example sentence: During the pandemic, I have been living a very solitary life.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was a worthy sequel to the previous day, when, as one wit remarked, a party with just one MP had managed a backbench rebellion – as Ukip's solitary presence in Westminster, Douglas Carswell resisted party pressure to take the parliamentary subsidy known as Short money.

The Guardian - Opinion

BillyMills again: It's interesting that the Spanish chapter, which is not at all about flying, is the climax of the book; his experience of war seems to have moved his position a bit away from the solitary and towards the communal, and that is evidenced by the sheer number of other people who inhabit, indeed dominate, that chapter.

The Guardian - Books

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 3.56pm BSThe:56 The peloton, which has been slashed to around sixty riders, make their way over the top of Bradfield - Andrei Grivko of Astana nipped in to take the solitary point on offer.

The Guardian - Sport

The prospect of the laws being overturned has prompted defence lawyers to seek to delay trials involving defendants who may have already spent months in solitary confinement under harsh prison conditions formerly reserved for accused bikie associates.

The Guardian

Betty Boothroyd, former Speaker of the Commons, is the solitary woman out of 23 (the death of Sir Anthony Caro in 2013 left an unfilled vacancy) holders of the order, one said to be unique for being the direct gift of the monarch.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The first animals to develop social behaviour did so because being in a group makes it easier to survive than leading a solitary existence," Platt says.

The Guardian

A few detainees were kept in solitary cells in the security branch's basement.

The Guardian

It means that Stokes is certain, barring injury, to play in the rest of the series, presumably at No6 – as England's solitary centurion so far perhaps he can choose whichever slot he likes.

The Guardian - Sport

A new type of solitary obsessive was born, interested only in achieving the pure abstraction of the record itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

As has Ellen DeGeneres, who managed a solitary year of gratingly nicey-nice criticism before packing up her wares and heading back to daytime television.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

When the pair presented the artwork for the Floyd's 1970 album Atom Heart Mother – a solitary brown-and-white cow, staring at the camera in that blank way that cows do – Dunton and his colleagues were inevitably less than impressed.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "solitary" to emphasize the physical or emotional state of being alone, often by choice or circumstance. For example: "He enjoyed the "solitary" walks in the forest."

Common error

Avoid using "solitary" when you specifically want to convey a feeling of sadness or longing associated with being alone. "Lonely" is a better choice in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "solitary" primarily functions as a modifier, describing nouns to indicate a state of being alone, single, or isolated. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "solitary" is a versatile adjective used to describe a state of being alone or existing as a single entity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and frequently encountered in various contexts, especially within news and media sources. While "solitary" emphasizes aloneness, it's important not to confuse it with "lonely", which conveys a feeling of sadness. Alternatives include "alone", "isolated", and "single", each offering subtle variations in meaning. When writing, consider the specific nuance you want to convey to choose the most appropriate word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alone

Focuses on the state of being by oneself, without any implication of preference or negativity.

isolated

Emphasizes separation from others, often implying a negative or undesirable state.

lonely

Highlights the feeling of sadness or longing due to being alone.

single

Indicates one and only one, often used in the context of a limited quantity.

unaccompanied

Stresses the absence of a companion or escort.

hermitic

Suggests a lifestyle of seclusion, often for religious or philosophical reasons.

reclusive

Describes someone who avoids social interaction and prefers to stay apart from others.

unsocial

Indicates a lack of interest in or avoidance of social activities.

desolate

Emphasizes the emptiness and barrenness of a place or situation.

individual

Focuses on being distinct and separate from a group.

FAQs

How can I use "solitary" in a sentence?

You can use "solitary" to describe something done alone, or someone who prefers to be alone. For example, "She enjoyed a "solitary" walk in the park" or "He was a "solitary" figure."

What is the difference between "solitary" and "lonely"?

"Solitary" emphasizes being alone, while "lonely" focuses on the feeling of sadness or isolation associated with being alone. "Solitary" can be a state of choice, whereas "lonely" is generally an unwelcome feeling.

What are some synonyms for "solitary"?

Synonyms for "solitary" include "alone", "isolated", "single", and "unaccompanied". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to describe an object as "solitary"?

Yes, it is correct. You can use "solitary" to describe a single, isolated object. For example, "A "solitary" tree stood on the hilltop."