Alone — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb /ə-ˈlōn/

Meaning & Definition of Alone

Alone (adjective)

  1. separated from others, isolated
  2. exclusive of anyone or anything else, only
  3. considered without reference to any other

Alone (adverb)

  1. solely, exclusively
  2. without aid or support

Alone (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. without aid or support

    "completely new to the big city, she nevertheless managed to find her way home alone"

    similar: independently, single-handed, single-handedly, singly, solely, unaided, unassisted, by one's own bootstraps, on one's own, on one's own hook, on one's own initiative
    related: individually, separately, solo
    near: collectively, conjointly, cooperatively, hand in glove, hand in hand, jointly, mutually, together, en masse

  2. for nothing other than

    "would willingly play professional baseball for the sheer enjoyment alone"

    similar: exclusively, just, only, purely, simply, solely
    related: basically, by and large, chiefly, generally, largely, mainly, mostly, predominantly, primarily, principally, substantially
    near: additionally, also, besides, likewise

Alone (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. not being in the company of others

    "no one realized the boy was alone in his room so they all left for the movies without him"

    similar: lone, lonely, lonesome, single, solitary, solo, unaccompanied, on one's own
    related: unattended, unchaperoned, forlorn, friendless, cloistered, disassociated, hermetic, insulated, isolate, isolated, remote, retired, secluded, withdrawn, quarantined, segregated, separated, sequestered, separate, unattached, unconnected, unlinked, detached, disconnected, disjointed, dissociated, disunited, divided, fractionated, abandoned, adrift, deserted, desolate, forgotten, forsaken, lorn, neglected
    opposite: accompanied
    near: attended, chaperoned, escorted, adjacent, adjoining, communicating, contiguous, neighboring, next-door, attached, connected, coupled, linked

  2. being the one or ones of a class with no other members

    "he is alone among the actors of his generation in his exceptional ability to play both comedic and serious parts"

    similar: lone, one, one-off, only, singular, sole, solitary, special, sui generis, unique
    related: single, solo, unaccompanied, unattended, incomparable, inimitable, matchless, peerless, unequaled, unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled, unsurpassable, unsurpassed, distinct, distinctive, individual, separate, nonce
    near: divers, manifold, multifarious, myriad, assorted, heterogenous, miscellaneous, mixed, motley, patchwork, promiscuous, varied, popular, prevailing, prevalent, rampant, perennial, recurrent, repeated

Related Entry: Let alone (conjunction)

Let alone is a different word from Alone. The synonyms below are for let alone, not for alone.

  1. to say nothing of

    "I don't have enough money for a new car, let alone a luxury sedan"

    similar: much less, never mind, still less, not to mention

Related Entry: Stand-alone (adjective)

Stand-alone is a different word from Alone. The synonyms below are for stand-alone, not for alone.

  1. operating or standing on its own

    "The device can be purchased either as a stand-alone unit or as part of a bundled system."

    "The rental property is a stand-alone guesthouse."

    similar: detached, disconnected, discrete, free, freestanding, separate, single, unattached, unconnected, independent, self-contained, individual, private, elevated, lifted, upended, upraised, semierect, erect, perpendicular, plumb, raised, standing, stand-up, upright, upstanding, vertical
    opposite: prostrate, supine, diagonal, hanging, sagging, slant, slanted, slanting, slanty, flat, recumbent, adjoining, attached, connected, joined, linked

Related Entry: Let (verb)

Let is a different word from Alone. The synonyms below are for let, not for alone.

  1. to give permission to

    "my parents would not let me drive until I had a job and could pay for my own gas"

    similar: allow, leave, permit
    related: authorize, commission, empower, license, approve, endorse, sanction, free, liberate, release, cater (to), give in (to), humor, indulge
    opposite: enjoin, forbid, prohibit
    near: deter, discourage, bar, block, constrain, curb, frustrate, hold back, impede, inhibit, obstruct, prevent

  2. to give the possession and use of (something) in return for periodic payment

    "the pensioner has begun letting rooms in her home to earn some extra money"

    similar: lease, rent
    related: charter, engage, hire, lodge, sublease, sublet, rack-rent

  3. to make able or possible

    "the low gravity on the moon lets you make enormous leaps and jumps"

    similar: allow, empower, enable, permit
    related: fit, habilitate, prepare, qualify, ready, approve, endorse, sanction, condition, equip
    opposite: prevent
    near: inhibit, preclude, disallow, enjoin, forbid, prohibit

  4. to fail to prevent (some behavior on someone's part) especially from neglect or indifference

    "they let their kids get away with murder"

    similar: allow, permit, suffer, tolerate, put up with
    related: brush (aside or off), condone, disregard, ignore, overlook, shrug off, wink (at), excuse, forgive, pardon, brook, cater (to), give in (to), humor, indulge
    opposite: bar, block, constrain, prevent
    near: forbid, prohibit, curb, deter, discourage, frustrate, hold back, impede, inhibit, interfere (with)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Alone

The most common words with a similar meaning to Alone:

independently, single-handed, single-handedly, singly, solely, unaided, unassisted, exclusively, just, only, purely, simply, by one's own bootstraps, on one's own, on one's own hook, on one's own initiative, lone, lonely, lonesome, single, solitary, solo, unaccompanied, one, one-off, singular, sole, special, sui generis, unique

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Alone

Words with the opposite meaning of Alone:

accompanied

Related Words for Alone

individually, separately, basically, by and large, chiefly, generally, largely, mainly, mostly, predominantly, primarily, principally, substantially, unattended, unchaperoned, forlorn, friendless, cloistered, disassociated, hermetic, insulated, isolate, isolated, remote, retired, secluded, withdrawn, quarantined, segregated, separated

Near Antonyms of Alone

collectively, conjointly, cooperatively, hand in glove, hand in hand, jointly, mutually, together, en masse, additionally, also, besides, likewise, attended, chaperoned, escorted, adjacent, adjoining, communicating, contiguous, neighboring, next-door, attached, connected, coupled, linked, divers, manifold, multifarious, myriad

Word Forms of Alone

Derived words: aloneness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Alone

Middle English al-one, alone, allone, from al, all all:2 + one one:1

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Alone

Words & Phrases Containing Alone

leave alone, let alone, stand-alone, go it alone, leave/let well (enough) alone, leave well alone, leave well enough alone

Frequently Asked Questions about Alone

What does "Alone" mean?

"Alone" means separated from others, isolated. As an an adjective and an adverb, it is defined as: separated from others, isolated. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Alone"?

Other words for "Alone" include independently, single-handed, single-handedly, singly, solely, unaided, unassisted and exclusively. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Alone" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Alone"?

There are 94 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Alone". Common alternatives include independently, single-handed, single-handedly, singly, solely, unaided, unassisted, exclusively, just and only.

What is the opposite of "Alone"?

Antonyms of "Alone" include accompanied. Near antonyms include collectively, conjointly, cooperatively and hand in glove.

How do you use "Alone" in a sentence?

Examples of "Alone" in a sentence: "completely new to the big city, she nevertheless managed to find her way home alone"; "would willingly play professional baseball for the sheer enjoyment alone"; "no one realized the boy was alone in his room so they all left for the movies without him".

Is "Alone" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Alone" can be used as an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context.

Is "Alone" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Alone" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Alone"?

"Alone" is pronounced /ə-ˈlōn/.