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Webster 1913 Edition


Lonely

Lone′ly

,
Adj.
[
Com
par.
Lonelier
;
sup
erl.
Loneliest
.]
[Shortened fr.
alonely
.]
1.
Sequestered from company or neighbors; solitary; retired;
as, a
lonely
situation; a
lonely
cell.
2.
Alone, or in want of company; forsaken.
To the misled and
lonely
traveler.
Milton.
3.
Not frequented by human beings;
as, a
lonely
wood
.
4.
Having a feeling of depression or sadness resulting from the consciousness of being alone; lonesome.
Syn. – Solitary; lone; lonesome; retired; unfrequented; sequestered; secluded.

Webster 1828 Edition


Lonely

LO'NELY

, a.
1.
Solitary; retired; sequestered from company or neighbors; as a lonely situation; a lonely cell.
2.
Solitary; as the lonely traveler.
3.
Addicted to solitude or seclusion from company.

Definition 2024


lonely

lonely

English

Adjective

lonely (comparative lonelier, superlative loneliest)

  1. Unhappy because of feeling isolated from contact with other people.
    • 1941, Mack Gordon and Harry Warren (music), “At Last”, performed by Glenn Miller, vocals by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday:
      At last
      My love has come along
      My lonely days are over
      And life is like a song
    • 2013 June 8, The new masters and commanders”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8839, page 52:
      From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. Those entering it are greeted by wire fences, walls dating back to colonial times and security posts. For mariners leaving the port after lonely nights on the high seas, the delights of the B52 Night Club and Stallion Pub lie a stumble away.
  2. (of a place or time) Unfrequented by people; desolate.
  3. (of a person) Without companions; solitary.

Synonyms

Related terms

Translations