solo

1 of 4

noun

so·​lo ˈsō-(ˌ)lō 

plural solos

1

or plural soli ˈsō-(ˌ)lē 

a

: a musical composition for a single voice or instrument with or without accompaniment

b

: the featured part of a concerto or similar work

2

: a performance in which the performer has no partner or associate : something undertaken or done alone

a student pilot's first solo

3

: any of several card games in which a player elects to play without a partner against the other players

solo

2 of 4

adverb

: without a companion : alone

fly solo

solo

3 of 4

adjective

1

: accommodating one person

a solo canoe

2

: of, relating to, or being a solo

a solo performance

a solo flight

3

: hit with no runners on base

a solo home run

solo

4 of 4

verb

soloed; soloing ˈsō-(ˌ)lō-iŋ 

-lə-wiŋ

intransitive verb

: to perform by oneself: such as

a

: to perform a musical solo

b

: to fly an airplane without one's instructor on board

transitive verb

1

: to fly (an aircraft) alone

2

: to climb (something, such as a mountain) alone

Synonyms

Adjective

• alone
• lone
• lonely
• lonesome
• single
• solitary
• unaccompanied

Examples of solo in a Sentence

Noun

She is learning to fly and she flew her first solo yesterday.

Adjective

a student pilot's first solo flight

She left the band last year and started a solo career.

He just issued his first solo album.

Verb

The guitarist solos on practically every song.

She soloed for the first time yesterday.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The first version was done and Eddie [Van Halen] was going to do the solo. —Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024

The six-stringed tandem of Murray, Gers and Smith sounded like an orchestra together as each guitarist delivered virtuosic lyrical solos — with Harris and McBrain providing muscular rhythmic support. —David Chiu, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

Adverb

Clairo capped off a breakthrough year with a nod for Best Alternative Music Album, while Waxahatchee earned her first career nod in Best Americana Album, and Adrianne Lenker added to her tally (solo and with Big Thief) with Best Folk Album. —Justin Curto, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024

In June, after much negotiating with their parents, Lucy Currie and three of her friends went solo camping for the first time. —New York Times, 4 Nov. 2024

Adjective

And Rose, a member of K-pop girl group Blackpink, recently signed a solo act deal with Atlantic Records. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024

Fido: People started to know us as solo artists under the wing of Wisin and Yandel, and we got invited to participate in Desafío. —Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024

Verb

The song begins with Iommi’s signature doleful blues soloing before kicking into a doomy groove. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2024

The lake is popular with boaters, anglers, swimmers and even rock climbers who solo up the high walls before dropping into the deep water. —Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Italian, from solo alone, from Latin solus

First Known Use

Noun

1695, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1712, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1886, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing solo

• free solo
• solo home run

Kids Definition

solo

1 of 3 noun

so·​lo ˈsō-lō 

plural solos

1

or plural soli ˈsō-lē  : a piece of music written to be performed by one voice or one instrument

2

: an action in which there is only one performer

solo

2 of 3 adverb or adjective

: without a companion : alone

solo

3 of 3 verb

soloed; soloing

-(ˌ)lō-iŋ,

-lə-wiŋ

: to perform by oneself

especially : to fly an airplane without one's instructor

Etymology

Noun

from Italian solo "a part in music performed without accompaniment," from solo (adjective) "alone," from Latin solus "alone" — related to desolate, sole entry 4, solitude