solitary Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun confinement of a prisoner in isolation from other prisoners
    solitary confinement.
    • he was held in solitary
  2. noun one who lives in solitude
    troglodyte; recluse; solitudinarian; hermit.
  3. adjective satellite characterized by or preferring solitude
    lonely; lone.
    • a lone wolf
    • a lonely existence
    • a man of a solitary disposition
    • a solitary walk
  4. adjective satellite of plants and animals; not growing or living in groups or colonies
    nongregarious; nonsocial.
    • solitary bees
  5. adjective satellite lacking companions or companionship
    alone; lonely; lone.
    • 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
  6. adjective satellite being the only one; single and isolated from others
    lonesome; only; sole; lone.
    • 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
  7. adjective satellite devoid of creatures
    unfrequented; lonely.
    • a lonely crossroads
    • a solitary retreat
    • a trail leading to an unfrequented lake

WordNet

Sol"i*ta*ry adjective
Etymology
L. solitarius, fr. solus alone: cf. F. solitaire. See Sole, a., and cf. Solitaire.
Definitions
  1. Living or being by one's self; having no companion present; being without associates; single; alone; lonely.
    Those rare and solitary, these in flocks. Milton.
    Hie home unto my chamber, Where thou shalt find me, sad and solitary. Shak.
  2. Performed, passed, or endured alone; as, a solitary journey; a solitary life.
    Satan . . . explores his solitary flight. Milton.
  3. ot much visited or frequented remote from society; retired; lonely; as, a solitary residence or place.
  4. Not inhabited or occupied; without signs of inhabitants or occupation; desolate; deserted; silent; still; hence, gloomy; dismal; as, the solitary desert.
    How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people. Lam. i. 1.
    Let that night be solitary; let no joyful voice come therein. Job iii. 7.
  5. Single; individual; sole; as, a solitary instance of vengeance; a solitary example.
  6. (Bot.) Not associated with others of the same kind.
Sol"i*ta*ry noun
Definitions
  1. One who lives alone, or in solitude; an anchoret; a hermit; a recluse.

Webster 1913