difference between lonely, lonesome and solitary

[johnxyy]

Synonym Search, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #114 "Synonyms for solitary and single", question 7

Lately one can see a lot of ......... children on a flight.

(a) lonely
(b) lonesome
(c) unaccompanied
(d) single

Synonym Search, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #114 "Synonyms for solitary and single", answer 7

Lately one can see a lot of unaccompanied children on a flight.

Correct answer: (c) unaccompanied

Your answer was: correct
_________________________

what's difference among lonely, lonesome and solitary?

johnxyy

[Mister Micawber]

.
'Lonely' and 'lonesome' have the same meaning: alone and unhappy about it.
'Solitary' means alone and either happy or neutral about it.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber