solitude
/'sɔlitju:d/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. The state or situation of being alone: The condition of being physically by oneself, without other people. 2. A state of social isolation: A situation where one lacks companionship or social interaction, which can be chosen or imposed. 3. A solitary place: A location that is remote, secluded, or uninhabited.
Usage
- Solitude is an uncountable noun. You do not typically say "a solitude" or "solitudes."
- It describes both the physical state of being alone and the feeling or experience that results from it.
- It can have a neutral, positive, or negative connotation depending on context.
Examples
- Describing the state of being alone:
- After a busy week, she craved some peace and solitude.
- The writer found that solitude was essential for his creative process.
- Describing social isolation:
- The long illness led to a period of painful solitude.
- He felt a deep sense of solitude even in the crowded city.
- Describing a solitary place:
- The cabin was a perfect solitude in the mountains.
- They walked into the vast solitude of the desert.
Advanced Usage
- "In solitude": This is the most common prepositional phrase, meaning "in a state of being alone."
- He meditates in solitude every morning.
- "Solitude of...": Used to specify the type or nature of the aloneness.
- the solitude of the forest
- the solitude of old age
Variants and Related Words
- Solitary (adjective): Being, living, or going alone; without companions.
- a solitary walk
- Solitudinarian (noun, formal): A person who leads a solitary life; a recluse.
- Aloneness (noun): A more neutral synonym for the state of being alone.
Synonyms
- Aloneness: The simple state of being by oneself.
- Seclusion: The state of being private and away from other people (often chosen).
- Isolation: The state of being separated from others (can be physical or emotional).
- Loneliness: A sad feeling associated with being alone (negative connotation).
Antonyms
- Company: The presence of other people.
- Companionship: A feeling of fellowship or friendship.
- Society: The aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community.
Idioms and Phrases
- "To cherish/seek solitude": To value or actively look for time alone.
- As an introvert, she often seeks solitude to recharge.
- "The solitude of the...": A common literary construction to evoke a specific atmosphere of aloneness.
- He contemplated the solitude of the sea.
Noun
- a solitary place
- the state or situation of being alone
- a state of social isolation