English · Word Candidate

solitary

/ˈsɑlɪˌtɛɹi/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: solitaries

Sense 1

Meaning · English

One who lives alone, or in solitude; an anchorite, hermit or recluse.

Noun

Examples

He brooded and intrigued fantastically. He was becoming one of the big-time solitaries. And he wasn't meant to be a solitary. He was meant to be in active life, a social creature.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

The state of being solitary; solitude

Noun

Examples

You must wonder why I'm relentless and all strung out/I'm consumed by the chill of solitary

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Living or being by oneself; alone; having no companion present

Adjective

Examples

The solitary, lumbering trolls of Scandinavian mythology would sometimes be turned to stone by exposure to sunlight. Barack Obama is hoping that several measures announced on June 4th will have a similarly paralysing effect on their modern incarnation, the patent troll.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

Performed, passed, or endured alone.

Adjective

Examples

a solitary journey

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “solitary” mean?

One who lives alone, or in solitude; an anchorite, hermit or recluse.

Is “solitary” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.