Solitude
noun /ˈsɒl.ɪ.tjuːd/ — The state of being alone, often peacefully
Definition
The state of being alone — but unlike loneliness, solitude often implies that the aloneness is chosen and not unpleasant. The quality of being with oneself.
Beyond the definition
Aloneness that has made its peace. Solitude is the positive version of being alone — the aloneness that writers, artists, and thinkers seek. It is the same condition as loneliness but experienced differently.
Origin & history
From Latin 'solitudo' (aloneness, solitude) — from 'solus' (alone). The state of being one. Related to 'sole', 'solo', and 'sullen'.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She required long periods of solitude to work — not silence exactly, but the particular quality of being accountable only to herself.
Solitude is not the absence of company; it is the presence of oneself. Some people never achieve it even alone.
The mountains offered a solitude that was different from city solitude — something that had depth and indifference.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Solitude” when the meaning fits your context: The state of being alone — but unlike loneliness, solitude often implies that the aloneness is chosen and not unpleasant. The quality of being with oneself.
Synonyms
aloneness, seclusion, isolation, quietude, retreat
Antonyms
company, sociability, togetherness
Related words
- desolation
- reverie
- contemplation
- refuge
Solitude vs loneliness
Solitude is the peaceful, chosen state of being alone. Loneliness is the painful, unwanted emotional state of feeling isolated from others.
Compare this word
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Walking Alone on Ridge
An adult walks steadily and intentionally alone along a narrow, high mountain ridge path with a vast sky above.
The individual's deliberate pace and chosen path signify that their aloneness is a fulfilling, active state rather than a lonely one, representing solitude.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Solitude" mean?
Solitude is noun meaning: The state of being alone, often peacefully. The state of being alone — but unlike loneliness, solitude often implies that the aloneness is chosen and not unpleasant. The quality of being with oneself.
Where does the word "Solitude" come from?
From Latin 'solitudo' (aloneness, solitude) — from 'solus' (alone). The state of being one. Related to 'sole', 'solo', and 'sullen'.