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 of solo

Adjective

• single
• lone
• 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

Earlier in Saturday’s game, the Sox got home runs from Montgomery (solo) and Andrew Benintendi (three-run). —Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026

And since all seven of us have had a solo career, everyone’s individual ego is stronger now. —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2026

Adverb

Pop is a Coachella vet, having first played solo in 2001 during the then nascent fest’s second installment. —Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2026

Always pair fermented foods with a meal rather than eating them solo on an empty stomach. —Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Crochet opened the fifth at 60 pitches and got two quick strikeouts before leadoff man Jahmai Jones’ solo homer gave Detroit a 2-1 lead. —Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026

The solo musical play written and performed by Kayla Boye, previously seen at several fringe festivals, is slated to be performed with a live band for the first time in the spring of next year. —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026

Verb

The two-hour live event also showed pre-filmed clips of Honnold training, hanging out with his two children, and soloing on rock. —Abigail Wise, Outside, 24 Jan. 2026

Honnold has also famously soloed Moonlight Buttress in Zion National Park and the Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome in California. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

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