solitude

noun sol·i·tude \ ˈsä-lə-ˌtüd , -ˌtyüd \

Updated on: 13 May 2018

Definition of solitude

1 : the quality or state of being alone or remote from society : seclusion

2 : a lonely place (such as a desert)

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Examples of solitude in a Sentence

She wished to work on her novel in solitude.
He enjoyed the peace and solitude of the woods.

Recent Examples of solitude from the Web

The seductive, eye-popping glamour of the city hums as a roaring engine of solitude and loneliness.

— christopher knight, latimes.com, "Mark Innerst at Kohn Gallery: City of light, and loneliness," 5 May 2018
Today, 95 percent of the CDT is protected, which makes for more solitude and better views.

— craig fehrman, Outside Online, "The CDT Gets Blazed," 10 Apr. 2018
Something [being] unlikely to be completed really drove me, and those are [activities that had] a certain remoteness and a sense of solitude.

— National Geographic, "How Ultramarathon Runners Took on World's Most Difficult Trail," 18 Apr. 2018
In that way — solitude while working as a team — powerlifting teaches life lessons.

— roy bragg, San Antonio Express-News, "Brooks girls flexing their way to global competition," 17 Apr. 2018
Also lost in the telling is an affecting portrait of two fiercely independent individuals who discover that delicate boundary between solitude and loneliness.

— michael rechtshffen, latimes.com, "Despite the presence of Alicia Vikander and James McAvoy, Wim Wender's 'Submergence' is no sunken treasure," 12 Apr. 2018
These others, inside or outside the frame, are always there, whether the viewer notices or not, subverting the ostensible subject’s pose of solitude, and legitimizing or delegitimizing the relationships.

— alison kinney, Longreads, "The Man in the Mirror," 10 Mar. 2018
There’s also an on-demand supply of coffee, juices and wine, to be enjoyed in solitude or in the company of others.

— alexandria abramian, The Hollywood Reporter, "Hollywood Women's New Workspace: Jane Club to Provide a "Matriarchal Oasis"," 9 Apr. 2018
Golden Bell – Par 3, 155 yards Pros: Hogan Bridge, Rae’s Creek, the timelessness of the hole and the solitude of the putting green all combine to make No.

— chris chase, For The Win, "Ranking the back nine holes at The Masters, from great to greatest," 5 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'solitude.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of solitude

Middle English, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, from Latin solitudin-, solitudo, from solus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

solitude Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of solitude

solitude, isolation, seclusion mean the state of one who is alone. solitude may imply a condition of being apart from all human beings or of being cut off by wish or circumstances from one's usual associates.

- a few quiet hours of solitude

isolation stresses detachment from others often involuntarily.

- the isolation of the village in winter

seclusion suggests a shutting away or keeping apart from others often connoting deliberate withdrawal from the world or retirement to a quiet life.

- lived in pastoral seclusion

SOLITUDE Defined for English Language Learners

solitude

noun

Definition of solitude for English Language Learners

: a state or situation in which you are alone usually because you want to be

SOLITUDE Defined for Kids

solitude

noun sol·i·tude \ ˈsäl-ə-ˌtüd , -ˌtyüd \

Definition of solitude for Students

: the quality or state of being alone or away from others : seclusion

Learn More about solitude

See words that rhyme with solitude Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for solitude Spanish Central: Translation of solitude Nglish: Translation of solitude for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of solitude for Arabic speakers

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solitude

Definition of solitude

Examples of solitude in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of solitude

solitude Synonyms

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SOLITUDE Defined for English Language Learners

solitude

Definition of solitude for English Language Learners

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solitude

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