adj
alone
uh-LOHN
adj
1
By oneself, without other people present.
"He prefers to eat lunch alone."
"She lived alone for years after her children moved out."
adv
1
Used after a noun to mean "only" or "exclusively" that thing.
"The repairs alone cost more than the car was worth."
How to Use Alone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOn your own, without anyone else — or, after a noun, "just that one thing".
Common mistake
"Alone" describes being by yourself and is neutral; "lonely" describes the unhappy feeling of wanting company. You can be alone without being lonely.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
leave someone alone
stand alone
alone at last
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He prefers to eat lunch _____.
Etymology
From Middle English al one, literally "all one" — contracted from Old English eall ān.