solitary
/ˈsɒlətri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɑːləteri/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsä-lə-ˌter-ē/ (ame, mw) · /ˈsɒl.ɪ.tər.i/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɑː.lə.ter.i/ (ame, ipa)
solitary — 形容詞
1. describes a person or thing that stays or exists by itself, without any others n
孤獨的；唯一
空間中僅有單一人或物
describes a person or thing that stays or exists by itself, without any others nearby
A solitary figure stood at the far end of the empty train platform.
月台上遠遠的盡頭站著一個孤獨的身影。
collocation: solitary figure
Haruto spotted a solitary tree growing on the rocky hillside above the river.
Haruto 在岩石遍布的山坡上看到一棵孤零零的樹。
The old lighthouse keeper led a quiet, solitary life by the sea.
那位老燈塔守護者在海邊過著安靜而孤獨的生活。
In the desert the travellers saw nothing but a solitary cactus for over an hour.
在沙漠中，這些旅人一個多小時只看見一棵孤獨的仙人掌。
- accompanied
having someone with you
- surrounded
having many people or things around
文法句型
solitary + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used before a noun to emphasise that there is only one person or thing in sight. Often paired with locations that suggest emptiness (desert, platform, hillside, sea).
常見錯誤
2. carried out or experienced without any other people joining in
獨自的
沒有他人參與的活動
carried out or experienced without any other people joining in
Mathieu enjoys taking solitary walks along the river early in the morning.
Mathieu 喜歡在清晨沿著河邊獨自散步。
collocation: solitary walk
After a long day at the office Gita preferred a solitary meal at home.
在辦公室忙碌一整天後，Gita 寧可在家獨自吃飯。
The final exam required two hours of solitary work in a silent room.
期末考要求在安靜的教室裡進行兩小時的獨立作答。
Kian spent a solitary afternoon reading in the library without any interruptions.
Kian 在圖書館裡度過了一個不受打擾的獨處下午。
- alone
used after a verb ('did it alone') rather than before a noun
- solo
common for performances or trips; slightly more informal
- unaccompanied
formal; often used for travel or music
- group
done with others, as in 'group activity'
文法句型
solitary + noun (activity)
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position). The activity itself is the focus — the person may or may not enjoy being alone.
3. having a character that enjoys or prefers being on one's own, without regular co
愛獨處的
偏好獨處而不常與人往來
having a character that enjoys or prefers being on one's own, without regular contact with others
Ezra has always been a solitary child who feels fine playing alone for hours.
Ezra 從小就是個愛獨處的孩子，自己玩幾個小時也覺得很好。
solitary child — describes personality, not circumstance
The elderly woman next door is quite solitary and rarely visits the neighbours.
隔壁的老太太很喜歡獨處，很少去拜訪鄰居。
Heloísa's solitary nature helped her focus on her novel for months without distractions.
Heloísa 愛獨處的性格幫助她連續幾個月專心寫作小說。
The old cat was a solitary creature that hid under the bed whenever guests came.
那隻老貓是個孤僻的動物，每次客人來了就躲到床底下。
- unsociable
can sound slightly negative; suggests avoiding people
- reclusive
stronger; describes someone who actively withdraws from society
- introverted
psychological term; prefers quiet, low-stimulation environments
- sociable
enjoys being with other people
- gregarious
very outgoing and fond of company
文法句型
solitary + noun (person/animal)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (ALONE AND ISOLATED): sense 1 focuses on a physical state at a moment in time; this sense describes a lasting personality trait. The subject is typically a person or animal.
4. of a place — positioned far from towns or busy areas, so that it feels quiet and
偏僻的；荒涼
遠離城鎮而寂靜的地方
of a place — positioned far from towns or busy areas, so that it feels quiet and empty
The Kim family rented a solitary cottage deep in the forest for the whole summer.
Kim 一家在森林深處租了一間偏僻的小屋度過整個夏天。
collocation: solitary cottage / solitary house
The island is known for its solitary beaches that tourists rarely visit.
這座島以觀光客很少造訪的幽靜海灘聞名。
Adaeze drove for hours through a solitary landscape of empty fields and rocks.
Adaeze 開了好幾個小時的車，穿越一片只有空地和岩石的荒涼大地。
The monk's solitary cabin sat beside a frozen lake high in the mountains.
僧侶那座偏僻的小木屋坐落在高山結冰的湖邊。
文法句型
solitary + noun (place)
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive). The place itself is not 'alone' — the word paints a picture of deep quiet and lack of human activity.
solitary — 名詞
1. a prison punishment in which an inmate is locked in a cell alone for long period
單獨監禁
將囚犯隔離在單人牢房的處罰
a prison punishment in which an inmate is locked in a cell alone for long periods, separated from all other prisoners
The prisoner was placed in solitary for three weeks after the fight in the yard.
那名囚犯在監獄庭院打架後被單獨監禁了三週。
in solitary — short for 'in solitary confinement'
Human rights groups argue that solitary should not be used for young offenders.
人權團體主張不應該對年輕受刑人實施單獨監禁。
Yael spent six months in solitary and began to struggle with her mental health.
Yael 被單獨監禁了六個月，心理健康開始出現問題。
The prison report revealed that Joshua had been kept in solitary for two years.
監獄報告顯示 Joshua 已被單獨關押了兩年。
- solitary confinement
the full formal term
- isolation
broader; can refer to medical or voluntary separation too
- the hole
slang; very informal, used among prisoners
文法句型
in solitary
solitary (uncountable)
用法筆記
Used as an uncountable noun, almost always in prison contexts. The full form 'solitary confinement' is more formal; 'solitary' alone is common in journalism and everyday speech about prisons.
常見錯誤
2. a person who chooses to live entirely on their own, away from society and other
隱士
選擇離群索居的人
a person who chooses to live entirely on their own, away from society and other people
The old writer became a solitary after moving to a remote village in the mountains.
那位老作家搬到山中的偏遠村莊後成了一名隱士。
a solitary — countable noun meaning a recluse
Few people visited the solitary who lived in a cabin at the edge of town.
很少有人去拜訪住在城鎮邊緣小木屋裡的那位隱士。
Nadia had always been a solitary who found more joy in reading than in parties.
Nadia 一直都像個隱士，覺得閱讀比參加派對快樂得多。
Caio described himself as a solitary who rarely left his apartment.
Caio 形容自己是個很少出門的隱士。
- socialite
a person who enjoys being at parties and social events
文法句型
a solitary
the solitary
用法筆記
A fairly literary or formal word. 'Recluse' or 'hermit' are more common in everyday English. 'Solitary' as a countable noun is most often found in written descriptions of character.