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solitary

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Solitary describes someone or something that is single, lonely or alone. (adjective)

An example of solitary is a person living in a large house alone.
An example of solitary is one bird flying in the sky.

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See solitary in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

living or being alone
without others; single; only: a solitary example
characterized by loneliness or lack of companions
lonely; remote; unfrequented: a solitary place
done in solitude
Bot. occurring singly, as a flower
Zool. living alone or in pairs; not colonial, social, etc.

noun pl. solitaries

a person who lives alone; esp., a hermit
Informal solitary confinement

Related Forms:

solitarily adverb
solitariness noun

See solitary in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(sŏlˈĭ-tĕrˌē)

adjective

Existing, living, or going without others; alone: a solitary traveler. See Synonyms at alone.
Happening, done, or made alone: a solitary evening; solitary pursuits such as reading and sewing.
Remote from civilization; secluded: a solitary retreat.
Having no companions; lonesome or lonely.
Zoology Living alone or in pairs only: solitary wasps; solitary sparrows.
Single and set apart from others: a solitary instance of cowardice.

noun pl. sol·i·tar·ies

A person who lives alone; a recluse.
Solitary confinement.

Related Forms:

solˌi·tarˈi·ly (-târˈə-lē) adverb

solˈi·tarˌi·ness noun

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