Solitariness: meaning, definitions and examples

Describes the state of being alone or having no company, but without the negative emotions that might come with loneliness. Often used in a neutral or even positive sense.

• He appreciated the solitariness of his mountain cabin, where he could relax and think.

Describes a painful feeling of having no friends or company, accompanied by sadness. It has a strongly negative connotation.

• After moving to a new city, he was overcome by feelings of loneliness.
• The elderly often experience loneliness, especially when living alone.

Refers to being separated from others, often involuntarily. It can have negative implications and might be used when talking about social detachment or quarantine.

• The long isolation during the pandemic was difficult for many people.
• His isolation from society led to a deeper sense of despair.

Refers to being hidden away from others, often by choice. It can be neutral or positive if someone desires privacy.

• She sought seclusion in the countryside to finish her book.
• The monk lived in seclusion to meditate and pray.

Solitariness describes a state or quality of being alone, often without implying any specific reason or context. It can refer to physical isolation or to an inner sense of being alone.

• He enjoyed the solitariness of hiking in the mountains.
• Her solitariness was apparent even in crowded rooms.

Singleness refers to the state of being single and is often used to describe a person who is not in a romantic relationship or married. It does not carry a negative connotation and can be used in various social and personal contexts.

• She embraced her singleness as a time for self-discovery.
• His singleness allowed him to travel and focus on his career.

Unmarried status is a formal and neutral term that describes someone who is not married. It is often used in legal, official, or demographic contexts.

• According to the survey, the majority of the population is of unmarried status.
• She indicated her unmarried status on the application form.

Celibacy refers to abstaining from marriage and often from sexual relations for religious or personal reasons. This term is frequently used in contexts involving religious vows or personal commitment to remaining unmarried.

• The monk took a vow of celibacy as part of his spiritual practice.
• She chose celibacy after the end of a long relationship.