ALONE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does alone mean? 

• ALONE (adjective)
  The adjective ALONE has 4 senses:

1. isolated from others

2. lacking companions or companionship

3. exclusive of anyone or anything else

4. radically distinctive and without equal

  Familiarity information: ALONE used as an adjective is uncommon.

• ALONE (adverb)
  The adverb ALONE has 2 senses:

1. without any others being included or involved

2. without anybody else or anything else

  Familiarity information: ALONE used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ALONE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Isolated from others

Context example:

I want to be alone

Similar:

unsocial (not seeking or given to association; being or living without companions)

Derivation:

aloneness (a disposition toward being alone)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Lacking companions or companionship

Synonyms:

alone; lone; lonely; solitary

Context example:

a solitary traveler

Similar:

unaccompanied (being without an escort)

Derivation:

aloneness (a disposition toward being alone)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Exclusive of anyone or anything else

Synonyms:

alone; only

Context example:

I'll have this car and this car only

Similar:

exclusive (excluding much or all; especially all but a particular group or minority)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Radically distinctive and without equal

Synonyms:

alone; unequaled; unequalled; unique; unparalleled

Context example:

a breakdown of law unparalleled in our history

Similar:

incomparable; uncomparable (such that comparison is impossible; unsuitable for comparison or lacking features that can be compared)

• ALONE (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Without any others being included or involved

Synonyms:

alone; entirely; exclusively; only; solely

Context example:

a privilege granted only to him

Sense 2

Meaning:

Without anybody else or anything else

Synonyms:

alone; solo; unaccompanied

Context example:

he flew solo

Pertainym:

alone (lacking companions or companionship)

 Context examples 

The latter peculiarity took the form of a dislike to being left alone, especially after dark.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He felt lost, alone there in the room with that pale spirit of a woman.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Sherlock Holmes left the house alone, and only returned after eleven.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Of course this politeness was wasted on the Scarecrow; for when he found himself alone in his room he stood stupidly in one spot, just within the doorway, to wait till morning.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

When he came to the outskirts of the forest, he said to his followers: “Just stay waiting here, I alone will soon finish off the giants.”

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

By spending time alone, you will hear the small voice within and become your own best friend.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

He is taller by almost the breadth of my nail, than any of his court; which alone is enough to strike an awe into the beholders.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

With their fists alone they had no chance whatever.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

She was quite alone, and there was not a sign of any living thing about.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)