alone
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a·lone
(ə-lōn′)adj.
1. Being apart from others; solitary.
2. Being without anyone or anything else; only.
3. Considered separately from all others of the same class.
4. Being without equal; unique.
adv.
1. Without others: sang alone while the choir listened.
2. Without help: carried the suitcases alone.
3. Exclusively; only: The burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone.
[Middle English : al, all; see all + one, one; see one.]
a·lone′ness n.
Synonyms: alone, lonely, lonesome, solitary
These adjectives describe lack of companionship. Alone emphasizes being apart from others but does not necessarily imply unhappiness: "The first lesson reading teaches is how to be alone" (Jonathan Franzen).
Lonely and lonesome usually connote painful awareness of being alone: "'No doubt they are dead,' she thought, and felt ... sadder and ... lonelier for the thought" (Ouida)."You must keep up your spirits, mother, and not be lonesome because I'm not at home" (Charles Dickens).
Solitary often stresses physical isolation that is self-imposed: I thoroughly enjoyed my solitary dinner.
These adjectives describe lack of companionship. Alone emphasizes being apart from others but does not necessarily imply unhappiness: "The first lesson reading teaches is how to be alone" (Jonathan Franzen).
Lonely and lonesome usually connote painful awareness of being alone: "'No doubt they are dead,' she thought, and felt ... sadder and ... lonelier for the thought" (Ouida)."You must keep up your spirits, mother, and not be lonesome because I'm not at home" (Charles Dickens).
Solitary often stresses physical isolation that is self-imposed: I thoroughly enjoyed my solitary dinner.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
alone
(əˈləʊn)adj, adv (postpositive)
1. apart from another or others; solitary
2. without anyone or anything else: one man alone could lift it.
3. without equal; unique: he stands alone in the field of microbiology.
4. to the exclusion of others; only: she alone believed him.
5. leave alone leave be let alone let be to refrain from annoying or interfering with
6. leave well alone leave well enough alone let well alone let well enough alone to refrain from interfering with something that is satisfactory
7. let alone much less; not to mention: he can't afford beer, let alone whisky.
[Old English al one, literally: all (entirely) one]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
a•lone
(əˈloʊn)adj. (used predicatively)
1. separate, apart, or isolated from others.
2. to the exclusion of all others or all else: to live by bread alone.
3. unequaled; unexcelled: alone among his peers in artistry.
adv. 4. solitarily; by oneself: She prefers to live alone.
5. solely; exclusively: It's sold by us alone.
6. without aid or help: The baby can stand alone.
Idioms: 1. leave or let alone, to refrain from bothering or interfering with.
2. let alone, not to mention: too tired to walk, let alone run.
3. let well enough alone, to leave things as they are.
a•lone′ness, n.
usage: See leave1.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
alone
– lonely1. 'alone'
If you are alone, you are not with any other people.
I wanted to be alone.
Barbara spent most of her time alone in the flat.
Be Careful!
Don't use 'alone' in front of a noun. For example, don't talk about 'an alone woman'. Instead, you say 'a woman on her own'.
These holidays are popular with people on their own.
2. 'lonely'
Don't confuse alone with lonely. If you are lonely, you are unhappy because you don't have any friends or anyone to talk to. Lonely is used either in front of a noun or after a linking verb like be or feel.
He was a lonely little boy.
She must be very lonely here.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Adj. | 1. |  alone - isolated from others; "could be alone in a crowded room"; "was alone with her thoughts"; "I want to be alone"unsocial - not seeking or given to association; being or living without companions; "the unsocial disposition to neglect one's neighbors" |
| 2. |  alone - lacking companions or companionship; "he was alone when we met him"; "she is alone much of the time"; "the lone skier on the mountain"; "a lonely fisherman stood on a tuft of gravel"; "a lonely soul"; "a solitary traveler"unaccompanied - being without an escort | |
| 3. |  alone - exclusive of anyone or anything else; "she alone believed him"; "cannot live by bread alone"; "I'll have this car and this car only"exclusive - excluding much or all; especially all but a particular group or minority; "exclusive clubs"; "an exclusive restaurants and shops" | |
| 4. |  alone - radically distinctive and without equal; "he is alone in the field of microbiology"; "this theory is altogether alone in its penetration of the problem"; "Bach was unique in his handling of counterpoint"; "craftsmen whose skill is unequaled"; "unparalleled athletic ability"; "a breakdown of law unparalleled in our history"incomparable, uncomparable - such that comparison is impossible; unsuitable for comparison or lacking features that can be compared; "an incomparable week of rest and pleasure"; "the computer proceeds with its incomparable logic and efficiency"; "this report is incomparable with the earlier ones because of different breakdowns of the data" | |
| Adv. | 1. |  alone - without any others being included or involved; "was entirely to blame"; "a school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children"; "he works for Mr. Smith exclusively"; "did it solely for money"; "the burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone"; "a privilege granted only to him" |
| 2. | alone - without anybody else or anything else; "the child stayed home alone"; "the pillar stood alone, supporting nothing"; "he flew solo" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
alone
adjective
1. solitary, isolated, sole, separate, apart, abandoned, detached, by yourself, unattended, unaccompanied, out on a limb, unescorted, on your tod (slang) He was all alone in the middle of the hall.
solitary accompanied, among others, escorted
solitary accompanied, among others, escorted
2. lonely, abandoned, deserted, isolated, solitary, estranged, desolate, forsaken, forlorn, destitute, lonesome, friendless Never in her life had she felt so alone.
3. unique, only, single, lone, solitary, one and only, sui generis Am I alone in recognising these facts?
adverb
1. solely, only, individually, singly, exclusively, uniquely You alone should determine what is right for you.
2. by yourself, independently, unaided, unaccompanied, without help, on your own, unassisted, without assistance, under your own steam He was working alone, and did not have an accomplice.
by yourself with help, with assistance
by yourself with help, with assistance
Quotations
"I want to be alone" [Greta Garbo Grand Hotel (film)]
"I want to be alone" [Greta Garbo Grand Hotel (film)]
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
alone
adjective1. Lacking the company of others:
3. Without equal or rival:
1. Without the presence or aid of another:
Idioms: all by one's lonesome, by oneself.
2. To the exclusion of anyone or anything else:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
وَحْدَهُ، فَقَطوَحِيدوَحِيد، مُنْفَرِد
sámjediný
alenekun
yksin
sam
aleinneinn
ただ一人の
홀로
tikvienasvienišas
tikaivienīgiviens pats
sam
ensam
โดยลำพัง
một mình
alone
[əˈləʊn]A. ADJ
1. (= by oneself) → solo
she lives alone → vive sola
to be alone → estar solo or a solas
I was left to bring up my two children alone → me quedé solo teniendo que criar a mis dos hijos
all alone → (completamente) solo
I feel so alone → me siento tan solo
am I alone in thinking so? → ¿soy yo el único que lo cree?
they are not alone in their belief → no son los únicos que lo creen, no son ellos solos los que lo creen
to leave sb alone → dejar solo a algn
I only left him alone for a moment → no lo dejé solo más que un momento
don't leave them alone together → no los dejes solos a los dos
I won't leave you alone with him → no te dejaré solo con él
we spent some time alone together → pasamos algún tiempo juntos los dos solos
I was alone with my thoughts → estaba a solas con mis pensamientos
she lives alone → vive sola
to be alone → estar solo or a solas
I was left to bring up my two children alone → me quedé solo teniendo que criar a mis dos hijos
all alone → (completamente) solo
I feel so alone → me siento tan solo
am I alone in thinking so? → ¿soy yo el único que lo cree?
they are not alone in their belief → no son los únicos que lo creen, no son ellos solos los que lo creen
to leave sb alone → dejar solo a algn
I only left him alone for a moment → no lo dejé solo más que un momento
don't leave them alone together → no los dejes solos a los dos
I won't leave you alone with him → no te dejaré solo con él
we spent some time alone together → pasamos algún tiempo juntos los dos solos
I was alone with my thoughts → estaba a solas con mis pensamientos
2. (= undisturbed)
2.1.
to leave or let sb alone → dejar a algn en paz
leave or let me alone! → ¡déjame en paz!, ¡déjame estar! (LAm)
to leave or let sb alone → dejar a algn en paz
leave or let me alone! → ¡déjame en paz!, ¡déjame estar! (LAm)
2.2. to leave or let sth alone → no tocar algo
leave or let it alone! → ¡déjalo! → ¡no lo toques!
why can't he leave or let things alone? (fig) → ¿por qué no puede dejar las cosas como están?
to leave or let well alone you'd better leave or let well alone → mejor no te metas en ese asunto
don't interfere, just leave or let well alone → no te entrometas, déjalo estar
the article doesn't look bad as it is, I would leave or let well alone → el artículo no está mal tal y como está, yo no lo tocaría
leave or let it alone! → ¡déjalo! → ¡no lo toques!
why can't he leave or let things alone? (fig) → ¿por qué no puede dejar las cosas como están?
to leave or let well alone you'd better leave or let well alone → mejor no te metas en ese asunto
don't interfere, just leave or let well alone → no te entrometas, déjalo estar
the article doesn't look bad as it is, I would leave or let well alone → el artículo no está mal tal y como está, yo no lo tocaría
3. (as conj)
let alone I wouldn't allow her to go with her sister, let alone by herself → no la dejaría ir con su hermana, y aún menos sola
he can't read, let alone write → no sabe leer y aún menos escribir
he can't change a light bulb, let alone rewire the house! → no puede ni cambiar una bombilla, ¿cómo va a renovar toda la instalación eléctrica de la casa?
let alone I wouldn't allow her to go with her sister, let alone by herself → no la dejaría ir con su hermana, y aún menos sola
he can't read, let alone write → no sabe leer y aún menos escribir
he can't change a light bulb, let alone rewire the house! → no puede ni cambiar una bombilla, ¿cómo va a renovar toda la instalación eléctrica de la casa?
B. ADV → solamente, sólo
you and you alone can make that decision → tú y solamente or sólo tú puedes tomar esa decisión → eres el único que puede tomar esa decisión
the travel alone cost £600 → solamente or sólo el viaje costó 600 libras
she spends more money on hats alone than I do on my entire wardrobe → sólo en sombreros se gasta más de lo que yo gasto en ropa → se gasta más en sombreros nomás que lo que yo gasto en toda mi ropa (LAm)
a charm which is hers alone → un encanto que es muy suyo
to go it alone > : I decided to go it alone (= do it unaided) → decidí hacerlo solo, decidí hacerlo por mi cuenta; (= start a company) → decidí establecerme por mi cuenta
the US is prepared to go it alone as the only nation not to sign the treaty → EEUU está dispuesto a quedarse solo siendo el único país que no firme el tratado
man cannot live by bread alone → no sólo de pan vive el hombre
you and you alone can make that decision → tú y solamente or sólo tú puedes tomar esa decisión → eres el único que puede tomar esa decisión
the travel alone cost £600 → solamente or sólo el viaje costó 600 libras
she spends more money on hats alone than I do on my entire wardrobe → sólo en sombreros se gasta más de lo que yo gasto en ropa → se gasta más en sombreros nomás que lo que yo gasto en toda mi ropa (LAm)
a charm which is hers alone → un encanto que es muy suyo
to go it alone > : I decided to go it alone (= do it unaided) → decidí hacerlo solo, decidí hacerlo por mi cuenta; (= start a company) → decidí establecerme por mi cuenta
the US is prepared to go it alone as the only nation not to sign the treaty → EEUU está dispuesto a quedarse solo siendo el único país que no firme el tratado
man cannot live by bread alone → no sólo de pan vive el hombre
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
alone
[əˈləʊn] adj
(= on one's own) → seul(e)
all alone → tout(e) seul(e)
to be alone with sb → être seul(e) avec qn
to be alone together (with no other people) → être seuls ensemble
to leave sb alone → laisser qn tranquille
Leave her alone! → Laisse-la tranquille!
to leave sth alone → ne pas toucher à qch
Leave my things alone! → Ne touche pas à mes affaires!
all alone → tout(e) seul(e)
to be alone with sb → être seul(e) avec qn
to be alone together (with no other people) → être seuls ensemble
to leave sb alone → laisser qn tranquille
Leave her alone! → Laisse-la tranquille!
to leave sth alone → ne pas toucher à qch
Leave my things alone! → Ne touche pas à mes affaires!
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
alone
adj pred → allein(e); we’re not alone in thinking that → wir stehen mit dieser Meinung nicht allein; there is one man who, alone in the world, knows … → es gibt einen, der als Einziger auf der Welt weiß … ? leave, let3
adv → allein(e); to live on bread alone → von Brot allein leben; it’s mine alone → das gehört mir (ganz) allein(e); that charm which is hers alone → der ihr ganz eigene Charme; the hotel alone cost £95 → das Hotel allein kostete (schon) £ 95, (allein) schon das Hotel kostete £ 95; Simon alone knew the truth → nur Simon kannte die Wahrheit; to stand alone (fig) → einzig dastehen; to go it alone (inf: = be independent) → auf eigenen Beinen stehen; I wanted to go it alone (inf) → ich wollte es selbst und ohne fremde Hilfe machen
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
alone
[əˈləʊn] adj & adv → (da) solo/aall alone → tutto/a solo/a
am I alone in thinking so? → sono il solo a pensarla così?
leave me alone! → lasciami in pace!, lasciami stare!
to let or leave sth alone (object) → lasciar stare qc (business, scheme) → non immischiarsi in qc
let alone ... → figuriamoci poi..., tanto meno...
he can't read, let alone write → non sa leggere, figuriamoci scrivere
you can't do it alone → non puoi farlo da solo
the flight alone cost £600 → il volo da solo è costato 600 sterline
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
alone
(əˈləun) adverb1. with no-one else; by oneself. He lived alone; She is alone in believing that he is innocent.
2. only. He alone can remember.
all alone completely by oneself. He has been all alone since the death of his wife.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
alone
→ وَحِيد sám alene allein μόνος solo yksin seul sam solo ただ一人の 홀로 alleen alene samotny sozinho одинокий ensam โดยลำพัง yalnız một mình 单独的Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
alone
a. solo-a, solitario-a.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
- I'm here alone (US)
I'm here on my own (UK) - I'm traveling alone (US)
I'm travelling alone (UK) - Leave me alone!
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
alone
adj solo; to feel — sentirse solo; adv solo; Do you live alone?..¿Vive solo?English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.