solitary

/ˌsɑləˈtɛri/

/ˈsɒlɪtɛri/

Other forms: solitaries

If you're a lone wolf, a one-man band, a rugged individualist, or an island unto yourself, you prefer to be solitary — in other words, alone or single. The term can be used to describe a person, a place, or a thing.

Solitary comes to us from the Latin solus, which means alone. Note its similarity to words like solo and, for all you card players out there, solitaire. You can take a solitary walk, during which you don't utter a solitary word, but pause to admire a solitary green shoot peeping through the snow. Solitary is also common in the prison world: Inmates on Alcatraz who were deemed too dangerous to mingle with their fellows were put in solitary confinement cells.

Definitions of solitary

1. adjective

   of plants and animals; not growing or living in groups or colonies
   “solitary bees”

   synonyms: nongregarious, nonsocial

   ungregarious

   (of animals) not gregarious
2. adjective

   secluded; far from populous areas
   “a solitary retreat”

   synonyms: lonely, unfrequented

   uninhabited

   not having inhabitants; not lived in
3. adjective

   lacking companions or companionship
   “a solitary traveler”

   synonyms: alone, lone, lonely

   unaccompanied

   being without an escort
4. adjective

   characterized by or preferring solitude
   “a man of a solitary disposition”

   “a solitary walk”

   synonyms: lone, lonely

   unsocial

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

   being the only one; single and isolated from others
   “a solitary instance of cowardice”

   “a solitary speck in the sky”

   synonyms: lone, lonesome, only, sole

   single

   existing alone or consisting of one entity or part or aspect or individual
6. noun

   one who lives in solitude
   synonyms: hermit, recluse, solitudinarian, troglodyte

   examples:

   St. John the Baptist

   (New Testament) a preacher and hermit and forerunner of Jesus (whom he baptized); was beheaded by Herod at the request of Salome

   type of:

   lone hand, lone wolf, loner

   a person who avoids the company or assistance of others
7. noun

   confinement of a prisoner in isolation from other prisoners
   “he was held in solitary”

   synonyms: solitary confinement

   type of:

   confinement

   the state of being confined