Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Without any other people present; by oneself: Describes a state of being physically separate from others.
   • Isolated in feeling or situation; lonely: Can describe an emotional state of solitude or separation.
   • Unique; unequaled; having no like or equal: Used to emphasize that something or someone is singular and unmatched.
   • Excluding all others; only: Used to specify that no other person or thing is included.

2. Adverb:

   • By oneself; without the presence or help of others: Describes an action performed in solitude.
   • Exclusively; only; solely: Used to limit the scope to one specific person, thing, or action.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • She felt very alone in the big city. (She felt isolated and without companionship.)
  • He is alone in his belief that the plan will work. (He is the only one who holds this belief.)
  • This diamond is alone in its perfection. (This diamond is unique and unequaled in its perfection.)

• Adverb:

  • The child can tie his shoes alone. (The child can do it by himself, without help.)
  • The responsibility rests alone on the manager. (The responsibility rests solely on the manager.)
  • He did it alone, without telling anyone. (He did it by himself.)

Advanced Usage

• "Leave alone" / "Let alone": These are phrasal verbs. "Leave alone" means to stop bothering someone or something. "Let alone" is used to introduce a more extreme example to show that something is even less likely or possible.

  • Please leave that vase alone; it's very fragile. (Please stop touching or bothering the vase.)
  • He can't afford a car, let alone a house. (A house is an even bigger expense than a car, so it's certainly impossible.)

• "Go it alone": An idiom meaning to do something independently, without assistance.

  • After the argument, she decided to go it alone on the project. (She decided to work on the project by herself.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lonely (adj): Feeling sad because one is without companions. (While "alone" is a state, "lonely" is the associated feeling.)
• Solitary (adj): Done or existing alone. (e.g., a walk)
• Solely (adv): Only; not involving anyone or anything else. (A synonym for the adverbial use of "alone.")
• Unique (adj): Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else. (A synonym for one meaning of "alone.")

Synonyms

• By oneself (adv): Without company.
• Solo (adv/adj): Done by one person alone.
• Only (adv): And no one or nothing else besides.
• Isolated (adj): Far away from other places, buildings, or people; alone.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Stand alone: To be independent or unaided; to be clearly separate or superior.
  • This theory stands alone in its elegant explanation. (This theory is unique and superior.)

Related Idioms

• Alone in a crowd: Feeling isolated or lonely even when surrounded by people.
  • At the party, she felt alone in a crowd.
• Leave/Let well enough alone: To avoid trying to improve something that is already satisfactory, as such efforts might make it worse.
  • The painting looks fine; you should let well enough alone.

Adjective

1. radically distinctive and without equal
   • he is alone in the field of microbiology
   • this theory is altogether alone in its penetration of the problem
   • Bach was unique in his handling of counterpoint
   • craftsmen whose skill is unequaled
   • unparalleled athletic ability
   • a breakdown of law unparalleled in our history
2. exclusive of anyone or anything else
   • she alone believed him
   • cannot live by bread alone
   • I'll have this car and this car only
3. lacking companions or companionship
   • he was alone when we met him
   • she is alone much of the time
   • the lone skier on the mountain
   • a lonely fisherman stood on a tuft of gravel
   • a lonely soul
   • a solitary traveler
4. isolated from others
   • could be alone in a crowded room
   • was alone with her thoughts
   • I want to be alone

Adverb

1. without anybody else or anything else
   • the child stayed home alone
   • the pillar stood alone, supporting nothing
   • he flew solo
2. without any others being included or involved
   • was entirely to blame
   • a school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children
   • he works for Mr. Smith exclusively
   • did it solely for money
   • the burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone
   • a privilege granted only to him