1. Being the only one; single and isolated from others
   "a solitary instance of cowardice";
   - lone, lonesome, only, sole
    
2. Characterized by or preferring solitude
   "a man of a solitary disposition"; "a solitary walk";
   - lone, lonely
    
3. Lacking companions or companionship
   "a solitary traveller";
   - alone, lone, lonely
    
4. Of plants and animals; not growing or living in groups or colonies
   "solitary bees";
   - nongregarious, nonsocial
    
5. Rarely visited or used
   "a solitary retreat";
   - lonely, unfrequented

1. One who lives in solitude
   "The solitary preferred the quiet of his remote cabin to the bustle of city life";
   - hermit, recluse, solitudinarian [rare], troglodyte
    
2. Confinement of a prisoner in isolation from other prisoners
   "he was held in solitary";
   - solitary confinement

Derived forms: solitaries

See also: single, unaccompanied, ungregarious, uninhabited, unsocial

Type of: confinement, lone hand [informal], lone wolf, loner

Encyclopedia: Solitary