# solitaire

/ˌsɑɫəˈtɛɹ/ (US) · /sˌɒlɪtˈeə/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/solitaire
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He spent the rainy afternoon playing solitaire on his computer.
- While waiting for her flight to be announced, she opened a deck of cards to play a quick game of solitaire.
- 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.

## Usage notes

- 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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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.