Lonely Definition & Meaning

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    • Synonyms lonely American [lohn-lee] / ˈloʊn li /

    adjective

    lonelier, loneliest

    1. affected with, characterized by, or causing a depressing feeling of being alone; lonesome.

    2. destitute of sympathetic or friendly companionship, intercourse, support, etc..

      a lonely exile.

    3. lone; solitary; without company; companionless.

    4. remote from places of human habitation; desolate; unfrequented; bleak.

      a lonely road.

      Synonyms: unpopulated, uninhabited

    5. standing apart; isolated.

      a lonely tower.

      Synonyms: secluded
    lonely British / ˈləʊnlɪ /

    adjective

    1. unhappy as a result of being without the companionship of others

      a lonely man

    2. causing or resulting from the state of being alone

      a lonely existence

    3. isolated, unfrequented, or desolate

    4. without companions; solitary

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

    Related Words

    See alone.

    Other Word Forms

    • lonelihood noun
    • lonelily adverb
    • loneliness noun
    • unlonely adjective

    Etymology

    Origin of lonely

    First recorded in 1600–10; lone + -ly

    Example Sentences

    Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

    Harry said: "I'm beginning to lose my memory, I'm going slower and I was a bit lonely to be frank."

    From BBC

    He said he felt "lonely" after moving into the flat and decided to try ice skating to "make some friends".

    From BBC

    This time of year has been busy, Fair says, because the holidays can be lonely.

    From Los Angeles Times

    But knowing your talent, speaking to it, and refusing to apologize for it can be alienating and lonely.

    From Salon

    "I felt so lonely," he said of making "Deadline".

    From Barron's

    Related Words

    • deserted
    • desolate
    • destitute
    • empty
    • homeless
    • isolated
    • lonesome
    • reclusive
    • solitary

    Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

    Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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