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

• lone
• single
• lonely
• solitary
• unaccompanied
• 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

Gunn even played coy about a possible Peacemaker solo film. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025

James did manage 3 solo stops and a quarterback hurry, but Cam Ward and the Hurricanes were virtually unstoppable during a 41-17 romp in the Swamp. —Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025

Adverb

The rapper will take the VMAs stage solo for the first time, after previously serving as co-emcee in 2022 with Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow. —Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2025

The young pilot, Ethan Guo, set out in his small plane to become the youngest person to fly solo across the world. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Adjective

Alice Cooper has been a figurehead in hard rock for decades, earning hits both as a solo act and with the band that first carried his name. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Reid then found a career as a solo act and supported the Stones once again on their infamous 1969 tour. —Thomas Smith, Billboard, 5 Aug. 2025

Verb

There are more cruise ships with family-friendly services, too, as well as those catering more to solo travelers with dedicated staterooms and social spaces. —AFAR Media, 3 July 2025

Keyboardist John Varn solos on piano on four of the tunes. —Paul Liberatore, Mercury News, 13 June 2025

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

Rhymes for solo

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

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