solo

1 of 4

noun

so·lo ˈsō-(ˌ)lō

plural solos

Synonyms of solo next

or plural soli ˈsō-(ˌ)lē

: a musical composition for a single voice or instrument with or without accompaniment

: the featured part of a concerto or similar work

: a performance in which the performer has no partner or associate : something undertaken or done alone

a student pilot's first solo

: any of several card games in which a player elects to play without a partner against the other players

solo

2 of 4

adverb

: without a companion : alone

fly solo

solo

3 of 4

adjective

: accommodating one person

a solo canoe

: of, relating to, or being a solo

a solo performance

a solo flight

: hit with no runners on base

a solo home run

solo

4 of 4

verb

soloed; soloing ˈsō-(ˌ)lō-iŋ

-lə-wiŋ

intransitive verb

: to perform by oneself: such as

: to perform a musical solo

: to fly an airplane without one's instructor on board

transitive verb

: to fly (an aircraft) alone

: to climb (something, such as a mountain) alone

Examples of solo in a Sentence

Noun She is learning to fly and she flew her first solo yesterday. Adjective a student pilot's first solo flight She left the band last year and started a solo career. He just issued his first solo album. Verb The guitarist solos on practically every song. She soloed for the first time yesterday.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Sonic Youth founding guitarist has officially announced his ninth solo album, Flow Critical Lucidity. —

Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2024 The Sonic Youth co-founder will release his ninth solo studio album, Flow Critical Lucidity, on September 20 via Daydream Library Series. —

Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 20 June 2024

Adverb

Ninety-nine percent arrive solo, and 100 percent leave as friends. —

Dory Jackson, Peoplemag, 22 June 2024 Throughout the night, each of the members had opportunities to shine solo and connect with their fans. —

Franchesca Guim, Billboard, 22 June 2024

Adjective

The best part is that most of these products created to make solo travel safer cost less than $30 and are TSA-approved for your carry-on. —

Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 23 June 2024 For many, the foundational part of Van Zandt’s career, despite his solo efforts fronting Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul, remains his participation in the E Street Band, even if that meant living to an extent in Springsteen’s shadow. —

Brian Lowry, CNN, 22 June 2024

Verb

The lake is popular with boaters, anglers, swimmers and even rock climbers who solo up the high walls before dropping into the deep water. —

Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024 The world has never been more accommodating to solo travelers—we’re constantly hearing about new meet-up apps to combat loneliness and safety measures to address discomfort (so long, catcalling). —

Caitlin Morton, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for solo

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'solo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Italian, from solo alone, from Latin solus

First Known Use

Noun

1695, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1712, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1886, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler

The first known use of solo was in 1695

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Solo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solo. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.

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Kids Definition

solo

1 of 3 noun

so·lo ˈsō-lō

plural solos

or plural soli ˈsō-lē

: a piece of music written to be performed by one voice or one instrument

: an action in which there is only one performer

solo

2 of 3 adverb or adjective

: without a companion : alone

solo

3 of 3 verb

soloed; soloing

-(ˌ)lō-iŋ,

-lə-wiŋ

: to perform by oneself

especially : to fly an airplane without one's instructor

Etymology

Noun

from Italian solo "a part in music performed without accompaniment," from solo (adjective) "alone," from Latin solus "alone" — related to desolate, sole entry 4, solitude

Last Updated: 24 Jun 2024 - Updated example sentences

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solo

noun

adverb

adjective

verb

Synonyms

Examples of solo in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near solo

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition