solo

noun so·lo \ ˈsō-(ˌ)lō \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Examples: solo in a Sentence

Definition of solo

plural solos

1 or plural soli play \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

See solo defined for English-language learners

See solo defined for kids

Examples of solo in a Sentence

She is learning to fly and she flew her first solo yesterday.

Recent Examples of solo from the Web

The Duchess, who made her first solo outing alongside Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, once again wore her hair in an unfussy low bun, this time with a few piece-y strands in the front.

— christian allaire, Vogue, "Only Meghan Markle Could Make a Preppy-Chic Beauty Trend Look This Good at Wimbledon," 14 July 2018
After a few early attacks failed, Yoann Offredo launched a solo effort about 21 miles in.

— New York Times, "Longest Stage of the Tour de France Is Actually a Chance to Relax," 13 July 2018
Brown played in 22 games for Kentucky over the last two seasons and collected 62 tackles, including 37 solo.

— gabe hauari, The Courier-Journal, "WKU linebacker Eli Brown granted immediate eligibility for 2018 season," 13 July 2018
Rabee Zureikat, like many Jordanians, had long been enamored of the nay, whose soulful, ethereal sound is often used as an intro to classical Arabic orchestral music and mournful solos aired by Egyptian and Syrian TV.

— taylor luck, The Christian Science Monitor, "In rediscovered reed flute, a soulful link to Jordanian identity," 13 July 2018
Despite small elements of hamminess—some unnecessary slo-mo, some bad guitar solo in the soundtrack—Sacred Games remains throughout its eight episodes a highly distinctive cop procedural.

— josephine livingstone, The New Republic, "Sacred Games Reinvents the Police Procedural," 12 July 2018
At times, the movement was a bit busy, particularly when McNicol tried to highlight a solo or duet among the group.

— ellen dunkel, Philly.com, "BalletX heats up the summer with 3 premieres and live music," 12 July 2018
Phoelix’s solo work builds on these two worlds, which is evident in the title of 2017’s GSPL.

— leor galil, Chicago Reader, "Chicago rap phenom Phoelix does it all on his own with his latest self-released record, Tempo," 12 July 2018
Like Jornet, Steck had encountered controversy around certain climbs, including what may have been his biggest achievement: a 28-hour solo ascent of Annapurna’s lethal south face.

— nick heil, Outside Online, "Are Kilian Jornet's Speed Records Too Good to Be True?," 12 July 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of solo

Italian, from solo alone, from Latin solus

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First Known Use: 1695

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

solo

adverb

Definition of solo

: without a companion : alone

fly solo

Recent Examples of solo from the Web

Nieblas has even traveled solo via airplane at least four times in the past two years, with assistance from accommodating airlines, like Alaska and United Air.

— sarah schreiber, Good Housekeeping, "Mom Is Outraged After Airline Tries to Charge a Ridiculous Fee to Help Her Autistic Son," 19 Oct. 2016
Trump last appeared solo before reporters in February 2017, less than a month into his presidency.

— catherine lucey, The Seattle Times, "Trump holds solo news conference, defends bashing press," 9 June 2018
Jason Wood, who spent nine years at JPMorgan JPM -0.91% Chase & Co., went solo in 2013.

— liz hoffman, WSJ, "Upstarts Crash Wall Street’s $7 Billion Capital-Markets Party," 25 June 2018
Turner got his start as part of an English hardcore band before going solo with an acoustic guitar.

— james sullivan, BostonGlobe.com, "Frank Turner comes to town for six nights of not being a role model," 21 June 2018
Sia, a native of Australia, sang in an acid jazz band called Crisp and performed backup vocals for Jamiroquai before going solo.

— jack flemming, latimes.com, "Singer Sia sells her Echo Park bungalow for $980,000," 4 June 2018
Eventually the two each went solo, and Pusha signed with GOOD Music, a notable record label founded by Kanye West in 2004 and boasting a litany of famed artists from Common to Big Sean to Kid Cudi.

— aja romano, Vox, "Pusha T vs. Drake: the long history of rap’s feud of the moment," 31 May 2018
The group became a huge success, and Cabello ended up going solo.

— megan friedman, Country Living, "Kelly Clarkson and Simon Cowell Had an ‘American Idol’ Reunion at the Billboard Awards," 21 May 2018
Years before Kylie Jenner was even born, Cher made an everyday option out of wigs, ditching her signature great lengths for a swingy flapper bob as a visual marker of independence, and going solo in 1975.

— mackenzie wagoner, Vogue, "Happy Birthday, Cher! Celebrating the Icon's 16 Best Hair Moments," 20 May 2018

First Known Use of solo

1712

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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solo

adjective

Definition of solo

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

See solo defined for English-language learners

Examples of solo in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of solo from the Web

Almost 30 years after his Hall of Fame induction, Bench did not envision this life, solo parent trying to get his kids to expand their tastes beyond chicken fingers, limiting screen time and coordinating sleepovers.

— jon wertheim, SI.com, "Johnny Bench Is Already a Hall-of-Famer, But He's Looking For a New Distinction," 5 July 2018
The hermaphrodites, which produce both eggs and sperm at once, are the true solo act of the worm world.

— katherine j. wu, Smithsonian, "Alternatives to Heterosexual Pairings, Brought to You By Non-Human Animals," 28 June 2018
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to her nephew’s intensive solo academy and Chamber Music Festival: Rushmore Music Festival, PO Box 734 Rapid City, South Dakota 57709.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 7/14," 14 July 2018
Preston Summerhays, of the Utah clan whose generations have played in the Junior World for decades, shot 70 and finished solo third at 2 under.

— tod leonard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Aussie grinds out Junior World win; Taiwan girl cruises," 13 July 2018
Cate Shortland has been tapped to direct a standalone Black Widow movie starring Scarlett Johansson, making Shortland the first solo woman to direct a film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

— devan coggan, EW.com, "Cate Shortland to direct Marvel's Black Widow solo movie," 13 July 2018
In September of 2017, Melania Trump embarked on her first solo international trip under her husband's administration, a big step for the presidential spouse who has taken her time stepping into the role embraced by most modern first ladies.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "A Brief History of Donald Trump’s Controversial Interactions with the British Royal Family," 9 July 2018
In addition to the mother-daughter pictures, True also starred in a number of solo shots on both Instagram and Snapchat.

— stephanie petit, PEOPLE.com, "Khloé Kardashian Shares Sweet Photos of Baby True: 'I'm So Obsessed with Her'," 1 July 2018
Getty Images The next time fans saw Meghan out in public was in Cheshire, during her first-ever solo engagement with the Queen.

— kayleigh roberts, Marie Claire, "Have You Noticed the New Style Trend Meghan Markle Has Embraced Since Her Wedding?," 28 June 2018

First Known Use of solo

1774

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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solo Synonyms

Phrases

on one's own;

solo

verb

Definition of solo

soloed; soloing play \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

See solo defined for English-language learners

Examples of solo in a Sentence

The guitarist solos on practically every song.
She soloed for the first time yesterday.

Recent Examples of solo from the Web

It’s here that Turner finds true love with Bach and begins her path to solo superstardom.

— PEOPLE.com, "Tina Turner Says Her Theatrical Life Story Tina Shows You Can 'Turn Poison into Medicine'," 18 Apr. 2018
Also serving as the debut solo single for Fifth Harmony member Normani, the song shot to the top of the charts around the world upon its release on Valentine’s Day, peaking at No.

— rob ledonne, Billboard, "'Love, Simon' Music, From Deep Cuts to Surprise Global Hits," 16 Mar. 2018
Garrison, who solos with a bow, less plays notes than cyclonic, rapidly accelerating dust-devils of sound.

— morgan enos, Billboard, "Newly Found 1963 John Coltrane Album to Be Released, Listen to a Never-Before-Heard Track," 8 June 2018
Philadelphia Orchestra violinist Richard Amoroso will solo in sections of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and the ensemble will also perform music of Franck, Saint-Saëns, Johann Strauss, Tchaikovsky, and Haydn’s Symphony No.

— Philly.com, "Art Star Craft Bazaar, Love Your Park Week, New Hope Celebrates Pride, and other great events, May 11-18," 9 May 2018
Perry’s soloing was a melodic, piercing howl atop the latter’s elephantine riff.

— marc hirsh, BostonGlobe.com, "Joe Perry rocks his way at House of Blues," 19 Apr. 2018
The cellist who soloed at the concert was Cleveland native Alisa Weilerstein.

— charlene paparizos, cleveland.com, "Chagrin Falls High School Music Students Attend Cleveland Orchestra Concert: Community Voices," 13 Apr. 2018
The wave has been strong enough to vault star merger bankers including Morgan Stanley’s Paul Taubman and Citigroup ’s Michael Klein to solo careers running their own boutique firms.

— liz hoffman, WSJ, "Investment Bankers, Wall Street’s Postcrisis Heroes, Face Growth Puzzle," 31 Mar. 2018
And, indeed, while the company built its name by offering flexible, by-the-month leases and high-level services to solo workers and small startups, big-name companies make up a growing share of the customer base.

— tim logan, BostonGlobe.com, "WeWork expands again, leasing space for 1,700 desks in the Back Bay," 8 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of solo

1886

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

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SOLO Defined for English Language Learners

solo

noun

Definition of solo for English Language Learners

: a piece of music that is performed by one singer or musician
: something that is done without another person

solo

adjective

Definition of solo for English Language Learners

: done without another person
: involving or done by a single performer instead of a group
baseball : hit with no runners on base

solo

verb

Definition of solo for English Language Learners

: to perform a piece of music without another singer or musician
: to fly an airplane without an instructor

SOLO Defined for Kids

solo

noun so·lo \ ˈsō-lō \

Definition of solo for Students

plural solos

1 : a piece of music performed by one singer or musician

a piano solo

2 : an action done alone

The pilot flew his first solo.

solo

adverb or adjective

Definition of solo for Students

: without another person : alone

fly solo

a solo dancer

solo

verb

Definition of solo for Students

soloed; soloing

: to do something (as perform music or fly an airplane) alone or without an instructor

Learn More about solo

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for solo Spanish Central: Translation of solo Nglish: Translation of solo for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of solo for Arabic speakers

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solo

Definition of solo

Examples of solo in a Sentence

Recent Examples of solo from the Web

Origin and Etymology of solo

Other Performing Arts Terms

solo

Definition of solo

Recent Examples of solo from the Web

First Known Use of solo

solo

Definition of solo

Examples of solo in a Sentence

Recent Examples of solo from the Web

First Known Use of solo

solo Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Phrases

solo

Definition of solo

Examples of solo in a Sentence

Recent Examples of solo from the Web

First Known Use of solo

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SOLO Defined for English Language Learners

solo

Definition of solo for English Language Learners

solo

Definition of solo for English Language Learners

solo

Definition of solo for English Language Learners

SOLO Defined for Kids

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solo

Definition of solo for Students

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