alone

1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈlōn 

1

: separated from others : isolated

was alone in the office

2

: exclusive of anyone or anything else : only

She alone knows what happened.

3

a

: considered without reference to any other

The children alone would eat that much.

b

: incomparable, unique

They are alone among their contemporaries in this respect.

aloneness

ə-ˈlōn-nəs 

noun

alone

2 of 2

adverb

1

: solely, exclusively

The blame is mine alone.

2

: without aid or support

He said he could do it alone.

Synonyms

Adjective

• lone
• lonely
• lonesome
• single
• solitary
• solo
• unaccompanied

Adverb

• independently
• single-handed
• single-handedly
• singly
• solely
• unaided
• unassisted

Choose the Right Synonym for alone

alone, solitary, lonely, lonesome, lone, forlorn, desolate mean isolated from others.

alone stresses the objective fact of being by oneself with slighter notion of emotional involvement than most of the remaining terms.

everyone needs to be alone sometimes

solitary may indicate isolation as a chosen course

glorying in the calm of her solitary life

but more often it suggests sadness and a sense of loss.

left solitary by the death of his wife

lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy.

an only child often leads a lonesome life

lone may replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective as alone.

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear.

a forlorn lost child

desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement.

desolate after her brother's death

Examples of alone in a Sentence

Adjective

This wine goes well with food, but is also very good alone.

I got him alone and asked him what had really happened.

She lived alone for many years.

She doesn't mind being alone because she never feels lonely.

He was alone with his thoughts.

He felt very alone when he went away to school.

Adverb

The police believe the criminal acted alone.

The price alone is enough to discourage people.

The special effects alone make the movie worth seeing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The locals won’t be alone in scouring for more mastodon fossils, however—researchers are already planning to return to the Orange County backyard to search for any additional bones. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 20 Dec. 2024

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), adult dogs shouldn't be home alone for much longer than six to eight hours without a chance for a bathroom break. —Lucy Notarantonio, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

Adverb

The researchers said that in a worst-case scenario, pistachio exports alone could suffer annual losses of up to $1 billion. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024

How Did The Shooting Happen? Video footage of the shooting shows the suspect walking behind Thompson, who was wearing a blue suit and appeared to be heading to the Hilton hotel alone. —Lindsey Choo, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English al-one, alone, allone, from al, all all entry 2 + one one entry 1

Adverb

Middle English, derivative of al-one, alone alone entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing alone

• go it alone
• leave alone
• leave/let well (enough) alone
• leave well alone
• leave well enough alone
• let alone
• let well enough alone
• stand-alone

Kids Definition

alone

1 of 2 adjective

ə-ˈlōn 

1

: separated from others

alone in her room

2

: not including anyone or anything else

money alone is not enough

alone

2 of 2 adverb

1

: solely sense 1

the proof rests on that statement alone

2

: without company, aid, or support

did it alone