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

So many sounds emerge, subtle things: drills, squealing, buzzing, vocal loops, along with guitar solos, shimmering guitar melodies, riffs, accents, and additional, complimentary guitar lines draped on top of each other. —Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024

The title reappears on a pair of lists, while simultaneously managing to debut on another, earning Jung Kook his first solo smash on that ranking. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

Adverb

For Prince William, much of 2024 was spent flying solo on jobs where his wife would usually have been by his side. —George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024

The findings, reported in PLOS Biology in June, showed that danios grouped in schools of eight used up to 79 percent less energy than the ones swimming solo. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Legend, who shares his daughters Luna Simone, 8, and Esti Maxine, 22 months, as well as sons Wren Alexander, 17 months, and Miles Theodore, 6, with wife Chrissy Teigen, 39, included several shots of their family, as well as solo pictures of the kids. —Hannah Sacks, People.com, 31 Dec. 2024

Still, the reality of being a female, solo traveler with limited resources might not line up with her expectations. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 31 Dec. 2024

Verb

For me, that was a multitude of outdoor sports: rock climbing, trail running, skiing, biking, and soloing the Flatirons in Boulder, Colorado. —Diana Boyer, Outside Online, 13 Dec. 2024

Maybe his voice is a little shakier, the guitar solos not quite as refined, but the songs still crackle with a power that’s frankly stunning coming from the not-so-young Young. —Scott Bauer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Apr. 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