adjective, lone·li·er, lone·li·est.
- affected with, characterized by, or causing a depressing feeling of being alone; lonesome.
- destitute of sympathetic or friendly companionship, intercourse, support, etc.: a lonely exile.
- lone; solitary; without company; companionless.
- remote from places of human habitation; desolate; unfrequented; bleak: a lonely road.
- standing apart; isolated: a lonely tower.
adjective -lier or -liest
- unhappy as a result of being without the companionship of othersa lonely man
- causing or resulting from the state of being alonea lonely existence
- isolated, unfrequented, or desolate
- without companions; solitary
adj.c.1600, “solitary, lone,” from lone + -ly (1). Meaning “dejected for want of company” is from 1811. Lonely heart (n.) “a lonely-hearted person” is from 1922. Lonely hearted (adj.) is attested from 1820.