lonesome

1 of 2

adjective

lone·​some ˈlōn(t)-səm 

1

a

: sad or dejected as a result of lack of companionship or separation from others

don't be lonesome while we are gone

b

: causing a feeling of loneliness

the empty house seemed so lonesome

2

a

: remote, unfrequented

look down, look down that lonesome road

—Gene Austin

b

: lone

lonesomely adverb

lonesomeness noun

lonesome

2 of 2

noun

: self

sat all by his lonesome

Synonyms

Adjective

• desolate
• forlorn
• lonely
• lorn

Choose the Right Synonym for lonesome

alone, solitary, lonely, lonesome, lone, forlorn, desolate mean isolated from others.

alone stresses the objective fact of being by oneself with slighter notion of emotional involvement than most of the remaining terms.

everyone needs to be alone sometimes

solitary may indicate isolation as a chosen course

glorying in the calm of her solitary life

but more often it suggests sadness and a sense of loss.

left solitary by the death of his wife

lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship.

felt lonely and forsaken

lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy.

an only child often leads a lonesome life

lone may replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective as alone.

a lone robin pecking at the lawn

forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear.

a forlorn lost child

desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement.

desolate after her brother's death

Examples of lonesome in a Sentence

Adjective

He was lonesome for his family.

The empty house seemed so lonesome.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

According to its logline, a lonesome Frankenstein enlists the help of Dr. Euphronios to create a companion for himself. —Tatiana Tenreyro, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024

The camera zooms in to get a better view of the scooter, which sits by its lonesome in the parking spot. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lonesome

• (all) by one's lonesome

Kids Definition

lonesome

adjective

lone·​some

ˈlōn(t)-səm

1

: sad from lack of companionship or separation from others

2

: not often visited or traveled over

a lonesome highway

the lonesome frontier

lonesomeness noun