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

Maher has become a hallmark of HBO’s programming, having headlined his first comedy special on the network in 1989 and racking up 13 solo specials to date on the cabler. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026

In 2022, Howard recorded 106 solo tackles, including three sacks, and five pass breakups in 11 games. —Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026

Adverb

Bloom rode solo tonight, as her hubby Justin Theroux was noticeably missing. —Christina Perrier, InStyle, 4 Jan. 2026

Following the recent reunion of ’90s Boston shoegaze stalwarts Drop Nineteens, singer and bassist Paula Kelley flies solo once again with lush, ethereal songs partly inspired by her sobriety. —Dan Reilly, Vulture, 30 Dec. 2025

Adjective

But McG approached the possibility of a deal first as a solo act. —Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Jan. 2026

Maxey, however, wasn’t a solo act on the night. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026

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