# lonesome

/ˈɫoʊnsəm/ (US) · /lˈəʊnsʌm/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lonesome
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

feeling sad because you are alone or do not have any friends around you. It describes a deep sense of being lonely, often in a way that feels a bit empty or quiet.

For teachers: feeling a depressive sense of solitude or lack of companionship. Often carries a more emotive or poetic tone than 'lonely' and is frequently used predicatively after linking verbs like 'feel' or 'sound'.

## Examples

- He felt very lonesome after his best friend moved away.
- The sound of a lonesome whistle echoed through the empty valley as the train passed by.
- After decades of living in the bustling city, he found the silence of the countryside to be more lonesome than peaceful, missing the constant hum of human activity.

## Usage notes

- Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'feel', 'look', or 'sound'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.