lonely
lonely
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "lonely" is /ˈloʊn.li/.
/ˈloʊn/
/li/
Word Form Variations
Adjective: lonely (positive), lonelier (comparative), loneliest (superlative)
Adverb: lonely (rare, typically "lonelily" or "lonesomely")
Noun: (No direct noun form; related nouns include "loneliness," "lonesomeness")
Verb: (No direct verb form; related verbs include "lonely" as in "to make lonely," though this is archaic/poetic; more common is "to isolate," "to estrange")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Sad because one has no friends or company; feeling or causing a feeling of being alone.
Synonyms: isolated, solitary, forlorn, desolate, lonesome, friendless, abandoned
Antonyms: accompanied, crowded, sociable, surrounded, popular, connected
Definition 2: (Of a place) Remote from other places; unfrequented and desolate.
Synonyms: remote, secluded, isolated, desolate, solitary, deserted, unfrequented
Antonyms: crowded, populous, bustling, busy, frequented, central
Definition 3: Single; without companions or alternatives.
Synonyms: single, solitary, sole, lone, unique
Antonyms: multiple, numerous, accompanied, many
Adverb
Definition 1: In a lonely manner; in solitude. (Often replaced by "lonelily" or "lonesomely")
Synonyms: solitarily, alone, forlornly, by oneself
Antonyms: accompanied, gregariously, socially
Examples of Use
Books:
"She wandered through the empty house, a lonely ghost in her own memories, yearning for what was lost." (Fictional example from a dramatic or gothic novel)
"The vast, empty desert stretched before him, a lonely expanse under the scorching sun." (From a travelogue or adventure narrative describing a desolate place)
"Despite his fame, the actor confessed in his autobiography to often feeling incredibly lonely amidst the crowds." (From a celebrity autobiography)
Newspapers:
"A new report highlights the growing crisis of lonely seniors in urban areas, calling for increased community support." ("The Standard,")
"The old lighthouse stood on a lonely cliff, guiding ships through treacherous waters for centuries." ("Daily Nation,")
"Tech companies are exploring new ways to combat digital isolation, recognizing that social media can sometimes make users feel more lonely." ("The New York Times,")
Online Publications:
"How to cope with lonelyness during the holidays: Practical tips for feeling more connected." (An article on a mental health blog, e.g., "Psychology Today Online,")
"Discover the most lonely places on Earth, where silence reigns supreme." (A travel photography feature on "National Geographic Online,")
"Are you feeling lonely at work? Strategies for building connections in a remote environment." (A professional development article on "Forbes.com,")
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I'm a lonely man, miss. Been alone a long time." (Dialogue from a Western or drama, e.g., Once Upon a Time in the West)
Television Series: "Our detective found the victim in a small, lonely cabin deep in the woods." (Narration from a crime procedural, e.g., True Detective)
Song Lyrics: "Lonely hearts club band." (From The Beatles' album title Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967) or "Are you lonesome tonight, do you miss me tonight?" (From Elvis Presley's "Are You Lonesome Tonight?")
Video Games: "You are the last survivor in a lonely world, fighting against the odds." (Game description or plot summary in a survival game, e.g., The Last of Us)
Podcasts: "In this episode, we delve into the surprising benefits of solitude versus the detrimental effects of chronic lonelyness." (A podcast exploring psychological topics, e.g., "Hidden Brain")
General Public Discourse:
"I feel really lonely sometimes, even when I'm around people." (A personal confession)
"It's a lonely road being an entrepreneur; you have to make tough decisions by yourself." (Describing the challenges of a profession)
"That old house on the hill looks so lonely and isolated." (An observation about a building)
"He spent a lonely Christmas by himself this year." (A comment about someone's holiday experience)
"Sometimes, even in a big city like Nairobi, you can feel incredibly lonely." (A personal reflection on urban life)
10 Famous Quotes Using Lonely
“The eternal quest of the human being is to shatter his loneliness.” – Norman Cousins
“If you are lonely when you’re alone, you are in bad company.” – Jean-Paul Sartre
“Being alone is very difficult.” – Yoko Ono
“The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.” – Mother Teresa
“Loneliness expresses the pain of being alone and solitude expresses the glory of being alone.” – Paul Tillich
“The best part about being alone is that you really don’t have to answer to anybody. You do what you want.” – Justin Timberlake
“The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.” – Michel de Montaigne
“Lonely is not being alone, it’s the feeling that no one cares.” – Unknown
“Pray that your loneliness may spur you into finding something to live for, great enough to die for.” – Dag Hammarskjöld
“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” – Maya Angelou
Etymology
The word "lonely" comes from an older English word, "lone," with the common English ending "-ly" added to make it an adjective.
"Lone": This word developed in the late 14th century as a shortened form of "alone." "Alone" itself comes from the Old English phrase "all ane," meaning "all by oneself" or "wholly one." So, "lone" originally meant simply "solitary" or "without companions."
"-ly": This is a common Old English suffix (-lic, from Proto-Germanic -līkaz) that turns nouns into adjectives or adjectives into adverbs, often meaning "like" or "having the quality of."
So, the word "lonely" first appeared around 1600 with the meaning of "solitary, isolated, or unfrequented" (referring to both people and places). Think of a "lonely road" – it's a road where not many people go.
It wasn't until much later, around 1811, that the meaning shifted and gained the emotional sense we primarily associate with it today: "feeling dejected or sad due to a lack of companionship." This emotional meaning became more prominent as societal views on individuality and social connection evolved.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Lonely
Lonely heart: A person who is seeking love or companionship.
The lonely crowd: A sociological concept describing people who feel isolated despite living in densely populated areas.
Lonely at the top: A phrase suggesting that leadership or success can be isolating.
A lonely road: A difficult or solitary path one takes in life or a journey.
A lonely existence: A life characterized by isolation and lack of companionship.
Lonely planet: A specific reference to the travel guide series, but also metaphorically an isolated world.
To go it alone: To undertake something without help or companionship. (Synonym for acting in a "lonely" manner)
Solitary confinement: Imprisonment in isolation, a state of extreme "lonely"ness.
Long and lonely vigil: A prolonged period of watchful waiting, often by oneself. (Lesser-known, but descriptive)
The desolate silence: A profound quietness that emphasizes a feeling of loneliness in a place. (Evokes a "lonely" atmosphere)
To be left feeling lonely: To experience a sense of sadness due to isolation.
A companionless journey: A trip undertaken without company. (Synonym for a "lonely" journey)
To brave the lonely night: To endure a solitary period of darkness or difficulty. (Original phrase, poetic)
Isolated incident: A single occurrence that stands apart from others. (Metaphorically "lonely" in its singularity)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of lonely from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
