Dictionary
lonely
adjective lone·ly \ˈlōn-lē\
: sad from being apart from other people
: causing sad feelings that come from being apart from other people
: not visited by or traveled on by many people
lone·li·erlone·li·est
Full Definition of LONELY
2
: not frequented by human beings : desolate
3
: sad from being alone : lonesome
4
: producing a feeling of bleakness or desolation
— lone·li·ness \ˈlōn-lē-nəs\ noun
See lonely defined for English-language learners
See lonely defined for kids
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First Known Use of LONELY
circa 1598
Related to LONELY
- Antonyms
- accompanied
Synonym Discussion of LONELY
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>.
LONELINESS Defined for Kids
lonely
adjective lone·ly \ˈlōn-lē\
lone·li·erlone·li·est
Definition of LONELY for Kids
1
: lone 1 <I saw a lonely figure in the distance.>
2
: not often visited <a lonely spot>
3
: sad from being alone : lonesome <a lonely child>
4
: producing sad feelings from being alone <I spent a lonely evening at home.>
— lone·li·ness noun
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