lonely
adj.-
1 feeling sad and alone (adj.) B1 Intermediateunhappy because you are alone or do not have anyone to talk to.
experiencing a sense of sadness or depression resulting from a perceived lack of companionship or social connection.
ExampleHe felt lonely during his first week in the new city because he didn't know anyone.
ExampleMoving to a foreign country where she spoke little of the language left her feeling profoundly lonely, despite being surrounded by crowds of people every day.
PitfallI feel very alone today.I feel very lonely today.'Alone' simply means no one else is there; 'lonely' describes the sad feeling caused by being alone.
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2 without companions (adj.) B1 Intermediatebeing the only person or thing in a place.
characterised by being solitary or lacking companions; often used to describe a single person or object in a large space.
ExampleA lonely figure stood on the beach watching the ships go by.
ExampleThe hiker was a lonely silhouette against the vast mountain range, appearing tiny and vulnerable in the face of such immense nature.
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3 a quiet or empty place (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediate Literarya place that is far away from where people live and is rarely visited.
describing a location that is remote, unfrequented, or desolate.
ExampleThey drove down a lonely country road for miles without seeing another car.
ExampleThe lighthouse stood on a lonely stretch of coastline, battered by the Atlantic winds and miles from the nearest village.
From lone + -ly, or from an apheretic shortening of alonely. See lone.