solo

1 of 4

noun

so·​lo ˈsō-(ˌ)lō 

plural solos

1

or plural soli ˈsō-(ˌ)lē 

a

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

b

: the featured part of a concerto or similar work

2

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

a student pilot's first solo

3

: 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

1

: accommodating one person

a solo canoe

2

: of, relating to, or being a solo

a solo performance

a solo flight

3

: 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

a

: to perform a musical solo

b

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

transitive verb

1

: to fly (an aircraft) alone

2

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• alone
• lone
• lonely
• lonesome
• single
• solitary
• unaccompanied

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

One week after the death of band member Liam Payne, all five of One Direction’s albums have returned to high positions in the UK music chart, along with the singer’s solo album. —Caroline Frost, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2024

Jin will release his debut solo album, Happy, on Nov. 15. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024

Adverb

William, 42, is traveling solo to Cape Town, as wife Princess Kate is still not fully returned to public work since she was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. —Simon Perry, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024

Good to go solo? $1,164 is the lowest get-in price to watch the best of the best in person. —David Close, CNN, 25 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Three shows into Thom Yorke’s solo Everything tour, the singer has continued to perform track from both his solo, side project and Radiohead catalogs that haven’t been performed in years, or decades, or ever. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2024

The interview comes as part of Jin’s new partnership with Dolby Atmos in honor of his new solo music. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 25 Oct. 2024

Verb

The song begins with Iommi’s signature doleful blues soloing before kicking into a doomy groove. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2024

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

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

Phrases Containing solo

• free solo
• solo home run

Kids Definition

solo

1 of 3 noun

so·​lo ˈsō-lō 

plural solos

1

or plural soli ˈsō-lē  : a piece of music written to be performed by one voice or one instrument

2

: 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