solitary
/'sɔlitəri/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Being the only one; single and isolated from others: "solitary" describes something that exists alone, without others of its kind or without companions.
- Devoid of creatures; secluded: "solitary" describes a place that is empty of people or activity, often feeling remote or unfrequented.
- Characterized by or preferring solitude: "solitary" describes a person, their nature, or their activities that involve being alone, often by choice.
- Of plants and animals; not growing or living in groups or colonies: In biology, "solitary" describes species or individuals that live or operate independently rather than in groups.
Noun:
- One who lives in solitude: A "solitary" is a person who chooses to live alone, often an ascetic or hermit.
- Confinement of a prisoner in isolation from other prisoners: "Solitary" is a short form for "solitary confinement," a punishment where a prisoner is isolated.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- He led a solitary life in the mountains. (He lived alone, without companions.)
- A solitary tree stood in the middle of the field. (There was only one, isolated tree.)
- She enjoys solitary walks on the beach. (She enjoys walks taken alone.)
- The tiger is a largely solitary animal. (The tiger typically lives and hunts alone.)
Noun:
- The old man was a solitary, rarely seen in the village. (The old man was a person who lived in seclusion.)
- The prisoner was placed in solitary for a week. (The prisoner was put in isolation as punishment.)
Advanced Usage
"A solitary soul": A person who is often alone, either by circumstance or temperament, sometimes implying loneliness.
- He was a solitary soul, content with his books and his garden.
"A solitary instance": A single, unique occurrence or example.
- This was a solitary instance of kindness in an otherwise cruel regime.
Variants and Related Words
Solitude (n): The state of being alone, often valued for peace and reflection.
- She sought solitude in the countryside.
Solitarily (adv): In a solitary manner; alone.
- The lighthouse keeper lived solitarily on the rocky island.
Synonyms
- Alone: Being by oneself.
- Lone: Single, isolated (often used before a noun: a lone figure).
- Lonesome: Lonely, desolate.
- Sole: Being the only one (e.g., the sole survivor).
- Secluded: Hidden away from others.
Related Phrases
Solitary confinement: The isolation of a prisoner in a separate cell as a punishment.
- The practice of prolonged solitary confinement is considered by many to be inhumane.
Of a solitary disposition: Having a personality that naturally prefers being alone.
- As a writer, he was of a solitary disposition.
Related Idioms
A solitary as an oyster: (An allusion from Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol) Extremely isolated and closed off from the world.
- Old Marley was as solitary as an oyster.
To keep solitary hours: To keep to oneself and keep a schedule that avoids others.
- The researcher kept solitary hours, often working late into the night when the lab was empty.
Adjective
- devoid of creatures
- a lonely crossroads
- a solitary retreat
- a trail leading to an unfrequented lake
- 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
- 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
- of plants and animals; not growing or living in groups or colonies
- solitary bees
- characterized by or preferring solitude
- a lone wolf
- a lonely existence
- a man of a solitary disposition
- a solitary walk
Noun
- one who lives in solitude
- confinement of a prisoner in isolation from other prisoners
- he was held in solitary