solitude
noun
sol·i·tude
ˈsä-lə-ˌtüd 
-ˌtyüd
1
: the quality or state of being alone or remote from society : seclusion
2
: a lonely place (such as a desert)
Examples of solitude in a Sentence
She wished to work on her novel in solitude.
He enjoyed the peace and solitude of the woods.
Recent Examples on the Web
When Fuyuko ventures out from her solitude, she’s blessed with a chance encounter.
—
Blake Simons, IndieWire, 18 May 2026
Reaching it requires serious effort—the wall is about 25 miles from the trailhead, a multiday trek each way—but the payoff is a level of solitude that’s increasingly rare in America.
—Taryn Shorr-McKee, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026
The Social Side of Going Phone-Free Disconnection isn’t only about solitude.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026
Now, Sawyer has produced a special for ABC News getting to the bottom of Simmons’s final decade of solitude.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for solitude
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Blake Simons, IndieWire, 18 May 2026
Reaching it requires serious effort—the wall is about 25 miles from the trailhead, a multiday trek each way—but the payoff is a level of solitude that’s increasingly rare in America.
—Taryn Shorr-McKee, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026
The Social Side of Going Phone-Free Disconnection isn’t only about solitude.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026
Now, Sawyer has produced a special for ABC News getting to the bottom of Simmons’s final decade of solitude.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for solitude
Cite this Entry
“Solitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solitude. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
solitude
noun
sol·i·tude
ˈsäl-ə-ˌt(y)üd
1
: the quality or state of being alone or far-off from society : seclusion, loneliness
2
: a lonely place (as a desert)
Etymology
Middle English solitude "the state of being alone," from early French solitude (same meaning), from Latin solitudin-, solitudo (same meaning), from solus "alone" — related to desolate, sole entry 4, solo
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
