alone

/əˈloʊn/

/əˈlʌʊn/

Other forms: alonely

The word alone comes from a combination of the Middle English words "all" and "one," which is really all you need to know to understand the word. A person who is alone is all-in-one; there's no one else around.

Depending how you look at it, the word alone can have positive or negative connotations. A person with a bad attitude that no one wants to be around might find himself alone much of the time. But someone seeking solitude, might choose to be alone. Then there are those people or things that are so unique or special that they alone possess a certain quality. Superman alone could save the world from the evil hand of Lex Luthor.

Definitions of alone

1. adjective

   isolated from others
   “could be alone in a crowded room”

   “was alone with her thoughts”

   “I want to be alone”

   synonyms:

   unsocial

   not seeking or given to association; being or living without companions
2. adjective

   lacking companions or companionship
   “he was alone when we met him”

   “she is alone much of the time”

   synonyms: lone, lonely, solitary

   unaccompanied

   being without an escort
3. adjective

   exclusive of anyone or anything else
   “she alone believed him”

   “cannot live by bread alone”

   synonyms: only

   exclusive

   excluding much or all; especially all but a particular group or minority
4. adjective

   radically distinctive and without equal
   “he is alone in the field of microbiology”

   “this theory is altogether alone in its penetration of the problem”

   synonyms: unequaled, unequalled, unique, unparalleled

   incomparable, uncomparable

   such that comparison is impossible; unsuitable for comparison or lacking features that can be compared
5. adverb

   without anybody else or anything else
   “the child stayed home alone”

   “the pillar stood alone, supporting nothing”

   synonyms: solo, unaccompanied
6. adverb

   without any others being included or involved
   “the burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone”

   synonyms: entirely, exclusively, only, solely