solitary
solitary — adjective
1. describes a person or thing that stays or exists by itself, without any others n
describes a person or thing that stays or exists by itself, without any others nearby
A solitary figure stood at the far end of the empty train platform.
collocation: solitary figure
Haruto spotted a solitary tree growing on the rocky hillside above the river.
The old lighthouse keeper led a quiet, solitary life by the sea.
In the desert the travellers saw nothing but a solitary cactus for over an hour.
- accompanied
having someone with you
- surrounded
having many people or things around
文法句型
solitary + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used before a noun to emphasise that there is only one person or thing in sight. Often paired with locations that suggest emptiness (desert, platform, hillside, sea).
常見錯誤
2. carried out or experienced without any other people joining in
carried out or experienced without any other people joining in
Mathieu enjoys taking solitary walks along the river early in the morning.
collocation: solitary walk
After a long day at the office Gita preferred a solitary meal at home.
The final exam required two hours of solitary work in a silent room.
Kian spent a solitary afternoon reading in the library without any interruptions.
- alone
used after a verb ('did it alone') rather than before a noun
- solo
common for performances or trips; slightly more informal
- unaccompanied
formal; often used for travel or music
- group
done with others, as in 'group activity'
文法句型
solitary + noun (activity)
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position). The activity itself is the focus — the person may or may not enjoy being alone.
3. having a character that enjoys or prefers being on one's own, without regular co
having a character that enjoys or prefers being on one's own, without regular contact with others
Ezra has always been a solitary child who feels fine playing alone for hours.
solitary child — describes personality, not circumstance
The elderly woman next door is quite solitary and rarely visits the neighbours.
Heloísa's solitary nature helped her focus on her novel for months without distractions.
The old cat was a solitary creature that hid under the bed whenever guests came.
- unsociable
can sound slightly negative; suggests avoiding people
- reclusive
stronger; describes someone who actively withdraws from society
- introverted
psychological term; prefers quiet, low-stimulation environments
- sociable
enjoys being with other people
- gregarious
very outgoing and fond of company
文法句型
solitary + noun (person/animal)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (ALONE AND ISOLATED): sense 1 focuses on a physical state at a moment in time; this sense describes a lasting personality trait. The subject is typically a person or animal.
4. of a place — positioned far from towns or busy areas, so that it feels quiet and
of a place — positioned far from towns or busy areas, so that it feels quiet and empty
The Kim family rented a solitary cottage deep in the forest for the whole summer.
collocation: solitary cottage / solitary house
The island is known for its solitary beaches that tourists rarely visit.
Adaeze drove for hours through a solitary landscape of empty fields and rocks.
The monk's solitary cabin sat beside a frozen lake high in the mountains.
文法句型
solitary + noun (place)
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive). The place itself is not 'alone' — the word paints a picture of deep quiet and lack of human activity.
solitary — noun
1. a prison punishment in which an inmate is locked in a cell alone for long period
a prison punishment in which an inmate is locked in a cell alone for long periods, separated from all other prisoners
The prisoner was placed in solitary for three weeks after the fight in the yard.
in solitary — short for 'in solitary confinement'
Human rights groups argue that solitary should not be used for young offenders.
Yael spent six months in solitary and began to struggle with her mental health.
The prison report revealed that Joshua had been kept in solitary for two years.
- solitary confinement
the full formal term
- isolation
broader; can refer to medical or voluntary separation too
- the hole
slang; very informal, used among prisoners
文法句型
in solitary
solitary (uncountable)
用法筆記
Used as an uncountable noun, almost always in prison contexts. The full form 'solitary confinement' is more formal; 'solitary' alone is common in journalism and everyday speech about prisons.
常見錯誤
2. a person who chooses to live entirely on their own, away from society and other
a person who chooses to live entirely on their own, away from society and other people
The old writer became a solitary after moving to a remote village in the mountains.
a solitary — countable noun meaning a recluse
Few people visited the solitary who lived in a cabin at the edge of town.
Nadia had always been a solitary who found more joy in reading than in parties.
Caio described himself as a solitary who rarely left his apartment.
- socialite
a person who enjoys being at parties and social events
文法句型
a solitary
the solitary
用法筆記
A fairly literary or formal word. 'Recluse' or 'hermit' are more common in everyday English. 'Solitary' as a countable noun is most often found in written descriptions of character.