ENGLISH
REFERENCE

solitaire

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌsɑɫəˈtɛɹ// UK //sˌɒlɪtˈeə// soli·taire Archaic

n. a card game that you play by yourself. You usually try to put the cards in a specific order or clear them from the table.

n. any of various card games played by a single person, typically involving the sorting of cards into sequences or suits. Known as 'patience' in British English.


SIMPLE

He spent the rainy afternoon playing solitaire on his computer.

CONTEXTUAL

While waiting for her flight to be announced, she opened a deck of cards to play a quick game of solitaire.

COMPLEX

The digital version of solitaire became a staple of early personal computing, providing a low-stakes distraction for millions of office workers during their breaks.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from French solitaire, ultimately from Latin sōlitārius. Doublet of solitary.

Usage

Usually uncountable when referring to the game itself; countable when referring to a specific diamond or gemstone set alone in a piece of jewellery.

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