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

But on his debut solo album, Heavy Metal, the rising art-rock star reveals his hand as a singer-songwriter extraordinaire, toning things down and slipping into a drowsy falsetto. —Jason Lamphier, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Dec. 2025

Liang is plotting a solo presentation during Milan Fashion Week in February. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 9 Dec. 2025

Adverb

Teens can use it to jam out solo or share playlists with friends. —Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 10 Dec. 2025

Barron played in the slot and played solo on the backside against tight end Zach Ertz. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 6 Dec. 2025

Adjective

Fergie, born Stacy Ann Ferguson, officially exited the group in 2018, shifting her focus toward solo projects and motherhood. —Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 14 Dec. 2025

In fact, the company said same-day bookings accounted for 10 percent of all stays this year and there was a 39 percent year-over-year increase in solo travelers. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 12 Dec. 2025

Verb

After co-hosting last year’s CMA Awards with Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan, Wilson will solo host this year’s show for the first time. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2025

In a small peña, or neighborhood club, in Lima, two legends - Berardo Hernandez Jr., the son of Manzanita, and Pancho Acosta, of Compay Quinto - filled the venue with intricate and melodic electric guitar sounds, soloing at a rapid pace, using their fingers instead of picks. —NPR, 10 Oct. 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