Word
loneliness
Phoneticslone·li·ness, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫoʊnɫinəs/
UK/lˈəʊnlinəs/
Definitions
01sadness from being alone
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the unhappy feeling you get when you do not have friends or people to talk to.
n. the subjective emotional distress resulting from a perceived lack of social connection or companionship.
“Moving to a new city can lead to a deep sense of loneliness at first.”
“The study explored how chronic loneliness among the elderly can lead to significant physical health complications over time.”
Usage
Uncountable in most contexts.
Pitfall
He felt a great lonely after his dog died.
He felt great loneliness after his dog died.
Use the noun 'loneliness' for the feeling; 'lonely' is the adjective describing the person.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02state of being solitary
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the state of being alone, even if you do not feel sad about it.
n. the objective condition of being solitary or without companions.
“He enjoyed the loneliness of the mountains where he could think clearly.”
“The poet found inspiration in the absolute loneliness of the moors, far from the distractions of urban life.”
Usage
Often used interchangeably with 'solitude', though 'solitude' usually implies a positive choice.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03remoteness of a place
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Literary
n. the quality of a place being far away from people and very quiet.
n. the quality of being unfrequented, remote, or devoid of human activity.
“The loneliness of the old house on the cliff made it look haunted.”
“The sheer loneliness of the arctic landscape was both terrifying and beautiful to the explorers.”
Usage
Usually describes landscapes or buildings.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From lonely + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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