lonely

From lone +‎ -ly, or from an apheretic shortening of alonely. See lone.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈləʊnli/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈloʊnli/

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lonely (comparative lonelier, superlative loneliest)

1. Unhappy because of feeling isolated from contact with other people.
   • 1941, Mack Gordon and Harry Warren (music), “At Last”, performed by Glenn Miller, vocals by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday:

     At last
     My love has come along
     My lonely days are over
     And life is like a song

   • 2013 June 8, “The new masters and commanders”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8839, page 52:

     From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. Those entering it are greeted by wire fences, walls dating back to colonial times and security posts. For mariners leaving the port after lonely nights on the high seas, the delights of the B52 Night Club and Stallion Pub lie a stumble away.

2. (of a place or time) Unfrequented by people; desolate.
3. (of a person) Without companions; solitary.

• (dejected): lonesome
• (unfrequented by people): desolate, desert, empty, unpeopled, unpopulated
• (without companions): solitary, alone, unaccompanied

• lone

• Nolley