EnglishMain Dictionary
solitary
Universal Words
adjective, noun
adjective
1 [usuallybeforenoun] done alone; without other people:
She enjoys long solitary walks. * He led a solitary life.
2 (of a person or an animal) enjoying being alone; frequently spending time alone:
He was a solitary child. * Tigers are solitary animals.
3 (of a person, thing or place) alone, with no other people or things around:
a solitary farm * A solitary light burned dimly in the hall.
4 [usuallybeforenoun] (especially in negative sentences and questions) only one; single:
There was not a solitary shred of evidence (= none at all).
solitariness noun [U]:
Even as a boy he was given to solitariness.
noun (plural solitaries)
1 [U] (informal) = SOLITARYCONFINEMENT
2 [C] (formal) a person who chooses to live alone
