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

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

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

Drake’s upcoming ninth studio album, Iceman, is his first solo project since his now infamous (and litigious) war of words with Kendrick Lamar last spring. —Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025

Fans can also catch the Fleetwood Mac alum — just Nicks, of course — on her ongoing solo tour. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025

Adverb

Spike, famously a passionate sports fan, isn’t afraid of going solo to root for his favorites. —Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025

Sit at the Bar September, coined by 86-year-old real estate agent and TikTok influencer Laurie Cooper, encourages young singles to go old-school and head to a local watering hole solo to meet people the analog way. —Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Sep. 2025

Adjective

Keeping your hands free while solo and on the move enhances alertness by minimizing distractions and improves reaction time for unexpected situations. —Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025

Her artistry soared to new heights with her first-ever solo concert in May of 2024. —Essence, 26 Sep. 2025

Verb

Morris solos the first verse before Yola, whose booming voice and ebullient stage presence across five songs earlier tonight was its own spiritual presence, joined her on the singer’s breakout hit. —Jason Newman, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2025

There are more cruise ships with family-friendly services, too, as well as those catering more to solo travelers with dedicated staterooms and social spaces. —AFAR Media, 3 July 2025

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

Rhymes for solo

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

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