solo

/ˌsoʊˈloʊ/

/ˈsʌʊləʊ/

Other forms: solos; soli; soloed; soloing

A versatile word, solo means "alone" and can be used as a verb ("I get to solo in band today"), a noun ("She sang a beautiful solo"), or an adjective (I can't wait for my solo flight").

The word solo is often associated with a musical performance, from the Italian derivative from the Latin sōlum, "alone." Until the end of the 17th century, just the Latin form was used, usually in stage directions. Then it entered musical terminology, as sola, in 1695. The adjectival use developed in the 18th century, and in 1864 the form soloist, referring to one who performed a solo, first appeared. It wasn't until the mid-19th century that the word was used as a verb.

Definitions of solo

1. noun

   any activity that is performed alone without assistance
   type of:

   activity

   any specific behavior
2. noun

   a musical composition for one voice or instrument (with or without accompaniment)
   types:

   voluntary

   composition (often improvised) for a solo instrument (especially solo organ) and not a regular part of a religious service or musical performance

   postlude

   a voluntary played at the end of a religious service

   type of:

   composition, musical composition, opus, piece, piece of music

   a musical work that has been created
3. noun

   a flight in which the aircraft pilot is unaccompanied
   type of:

   flight, flying

   an instance of traveling by air
4. adjective

   composed or performed by a single voice or instrument
   “a passage for solo clarinet”

   synonyms:

   unaccompanied

   playing or singing without accompaniment
5. adverb

   without anybody else or anything else
   “he flew solo”

   synonyms: alone, unaccompanied
6. verb

   perform a piece written for a single instrument
   type of:

   perform

   give a performance (of something)
7. verb

   fly alone, without a co-pilot or passengers
   type of:

   aviate, fly, pilot

   operate an airplane