SOLITARY
Dictionary entry overview: What does solitary mean?
• SOLITARY (noun)
The noun SOLITARY has 2 senses:
1. confinement of a prisoner in isolation from other prisoners
2. one who lives in solitude
Familiarity information: SOLITARY used as a noun is rare.
• SOLITARY (adjective)
The adjective SOLITARY has 5 senses:
1. characterized by or preferring solitude
2. of plants and animals; not growing or living in groups or colonies
3. lacking companions or companionship
4. being the only one; single and isolated from others
5. remote or secluded
Familiarity information: SOLITARY used as an adjective is common.
Dictionary entry details
• SOLITARY (noun)
Meaning:
Confinement of a prisoner in isolation from other prisoners
Classified under:
Nouns denoting stable states of affairs
Synonyms:
solitary confinement; solitary
Context example:
he was held in solitary
Hypernyms ("solitary" is a kind of...):
confinement (the state of being confined)
Meaning:
One who lives in solitude
Classified under:
Nouns denoting people
Synonyms:
recluse; solitudinarian; troglodyte; hermit; solitary
Hypernyms ("solitary" is a kind of...):
lone hand; lone wolf; loner (a person who avoids the company or assistance of others)
Instance hyponyms:
John the Baptist; 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)
• SOLITARY (adjective)
Meaning:
Characterized by or preferring solitude
Synonyms:
solitary; lone; lonely
Context examples:
a lone wolf / a lonely existence / a man of a solitary disposition / a solitary walk
Similar:
unsocial (not seeking or given to association; being or living without companions)
Meaning:
Of plants and animals; not growing or living in groups or colonies
Synonyms:
nongregarious; nonsocial; solitary
Context example:
solitary bees
Similar:
ungregarious ((of animals) not gregarious)
Meaning:
Lacking companions or companionship
Synonyms:
lonely; lone; alone; solitary
Context examples:
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
Similar:
unaccompanied (without accompaniment or companions)
Meaning:
Being the only one; single and isolated from others
Synonyms:
only; lonesome; sole; lone; solitary
Context examples:
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
Similar:
single (existing alone or consisting of one entity or part or aspect or individual)
Meaning:
Remote or secluded
Synonyms:
unfrequented; lonely; solitary
Context examples:
a lonely crossroads / a solitary retreat / a trail leading to an unfrequented lake
Similar:
inaccessible; unaccessible (capable of being reached only with great difficulty or not at all)
