Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Being the only one; single and isolated from others: Used to describe a person or thing that is the only one present or involved in a particular situation, often emphasizing its separation or uniqueness.
   • Characterized by or preferring solitude: Describes a person who is without companions by choice or nature, often implying a self-reliant or independent character.
   • Lacking companions or companionship: Describes a state of being unaccompanied, which can be by circumstance or situation.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • He was the lone survivor of the accident. (He was the only person who survived.)
  • A lone tree stood in the middle of the field. (There was a single, isolated tree.)
  • She is known as a lone traveler, always exploring by herself. (She prefers to travel alone.)

Advanced Usage

• "lone wolf": A person who prefers to act, work, or live alone.
  • In the team, he's a bit of a lone wolf, often solving problems independently.
• "lone voice": The only person expressing a particular opinion or protest.
  • She was a lone voice arguing for environmental protection at the meeting.

Variants and Related Words

• Lonely (adj): Feeling sad because one has no friends or company. (Note: "Lone" describes the objective state of being alone, while "lonely" describes the subjective feeling of sadness from being alone.)
  • The lone house on the hill looked lonely.
• Lonesome (adj): (Chiefly US) Causing a feeling of loneliness; desolate.
  • He felt lonesome on the long, lone road.
• Solitary (adj): Done or existing alone. (Often used interchangeably with "lone" but can also imply a more chosen or permanent state of being alone.)
  • He leads a solitary life in the cabin.

Synonyms

• Single: Only one in number.
• Sole: Being the only one.
• Solitary: Living or being alone.
• Unaccompanied: Without a companion.

Related Phrases

• Stand lone: To be isolated or singular.
  • The monument stands lone on the hilltop. (This is a more poetic or literary construction.)

Related Idioms

• A lone hand: A person who acts independently.
  • He played a lone hand in the negotiations, not consulting his colleagues.
• Lone star: A single star, often used symbolically (e.g., the flag of Texas is the "Lone Star State").
  • The lone star shone brightly in the night sky.

Adjective

1. being the only one; single and isolated from others
   • the lone doctor in the entire county
   • a lonesome pine
   • an only child
   • the sole heir
   • the sole example
   • a solitary instance of cowardice
   • a solitary speck in the sky
2. characterized by or preferring solitude
   • a lone wolf
   • a lonely existence
   • a man of a solitary disposition
   • a solitary walk
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