noun

solitude

SO-lih-tyood

noun

The state of being alone, whether by choice or circumstance.

"He craved solitude after weeks of noisy meetings."

"Writers often need solitude to concentrate."

A remote, deserted place.

"They retreated to a solitude deep in the mountains."

How to Use Solitude

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBeing on your own, usually peacefully rather than sadly.

Common mistake

Solitude usually implies a chosen, restful kind of aloneness, whereas "loneliness" implies unwanted isolation and sadness.

Easily confused with

loneliness →

Common pairings

seek solitude in solitude the solitude of the desert

solitudes plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

He craved _____ after weeks of noisy meetings.

From Latin sōlitūdō, "loneliness", built from sōlus, "alone".

aloneness isolation loneliness loneness onehead oneship onlyhood onliness seclusion solitariness

closeness intimacy togetherness

context acquaintance friendship copulation isolation oneness intimacy togetherness

nude rude dude Jude crude prude exude elude Maude Laude delude Claude

aloneness isolation loneliness loneness onehead oneship onlyhood onliness seclusion solitariness closeness intimacy