Solitary vs. lonely

[Goran]

English Synonym, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #69 "Synonyms for lonely and alone", question 2

Mother tries to hide it, but we know that she is a ......... woman.

(a) single
(b) alone
(c) lonely
(d) solitary

English Synonym, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #69 "Synonyms for lonely and alone", answer 2

Mother tries to hide it, but we know that she is a lonely woman.

Correct answer: (c) lonely
_________________________

solitary vs. lonely

Goran

[Daniela]

Dear Goran,
Alone means being apart from others but it does not necessarily imply unhappiness.
Solitary means quite alone, deprived of the society of others, it implies a sense of isolation and remoteness. Solitary often stresses physical isolation that is self-imposed.
Daniela
_________________
English Language Learning Online
Learn English with Daniela

[Mister Micawber]

.
I don't entirely agree. Look at these definitions--

Solitary: enjoyed or performed alone; characterized by or preferring solitude in mode of life. Self-imposed, indeed, but not 'deprived' of society.

cf. Lonely: marked by dejection from being alone.

On the other hand, Daniela's definition of alone is accurate: it is the neutral statement of 'without anybody else'.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mister Micawber

[Alan]

Hi Goran,

Let me try and wrap these 4 adjectives together in one picture: