lone

adjective

ˈlōn 

1

a

: having no company : solitary

b

: preferring solitude

2

: only, sole

3

: situated by itself : isolated

loneness

ˈlōn-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of lone

• only
• one
• sole
• solitary

Choose the Right Synonym for lone

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

Examples of lone in a Sentence

the lone ripe apple in the entire bag

just one lone cow in the middle of the field

Recent Examples on the Web

Von Ogden is the lone senior on a roster that includes six freshmen. —Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026

But Guentzel made Tampa’s lone shot count, and now the Lightning have a 6-point lead on the Sabres in the Atlantic Division. —Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026

Jamahl Mosley‘s squad failed to get off on the right foot, trailed by as many 41 points and fell 128-92 during its lone trip of the regular season to Paycom Center. —Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026

The question came at the tail end of a roughly two-hour debate hosted by KTVU Fox 2 San Francisco that saw largely civil sparring between six Democratic candidates and some audience booing directed at the lone Republican candidate, Hilton. —Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, short for alone

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing lone

• lone ranger
• lone star tick
• lone wolf
• plough a lone/lonely furrow

Rhymes for lone

• blown
• clone
• cone
• crone
• drone
• flown
• groan
• grown
• hone
• joan
• known
• loan

Kids Definition

lone

adjective

ˈlōn 

1

: having no company : solitary

a lone traveler

2

: situated by itself

a lone outpost