Definition of "solitary" in English

noun

1. (countable) One who lives alone, or in solitude; an anchorite, hermit or recluse.

2. (uncountable) Ellipsis of solitary confinement.

   • The prisoners who started the riot were moved to solitary.

3. (uncountable) The state of being solitary; solitude

adjective

1. Living or being by oneself; alone; having no companion present

2. Performed, passed, or endured alone.

   • a solitary journey
   • a solitary life

3. Not much visited or frequented; remote from society

   • a solitary residence or place

4. Not inhabited or occupied; without signs of inhabitants or occupation; desolate; deserted

   • the solitary desert
   • How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people!

5. Gloomy; dismal, because of not being inhabited.

6. Single; individual; sole.

   • a solitary example

7. (botany) Not associated with others of the same kind.

noun

1. Archaic form of solitaire (“Rodrigues solitaire”).