loneliness

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A feeling of depression resulting from being alone or from having no companions.

   • The loneliness resulting from the loss of loved ones, lack of purpose in life, and social discrimination is a real inner hell.
   • Cecilia proposed to her the society of Henrietta, which, glad to catch at any thing that would break into her loneliness, she listened to with pleasure […]
   • We […] feel deep pity for a man who is condemned to the loneliness of being remarkable […]
2. 2

   The condition or state of being alone or having no companions.

   • Hitherto all things that have bin nam’d, were approv’d of God to be very good: lonelines is the first thing which Gods eye nam’d not good […]
   • Wretched as were the little companions in misery he was leaving behind, they were the only friends he had ever known; and a sense of his loneliness in the great wide world sank into the child’s heart for the first time.
3. 3

   The state of being unfrequented or devoid of human activity (of a place or time).

   • 1794, Ann Radcliffe, The Mysteries of Udolpho, London: G.G. & J. Robinson, Volume 4, Chapter 3, p. 50, […] as she sat at her bed-side, indulging melancholy reveries, which the loneliness of the hour assisted […]
   • In addition, the very loneliness of the road had its charm for him; since only at rare intervals is house seen by its side, and rarer still living creature encountered upon it.
4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      A desire to be alone

      A desire to be alone; disposition to solitude.

      • […] I see The mystery of your loneliness, and find Your salt tears’ head: now to all sense ’tis gross You love my son […]

The neighborhood

• synonymellingness
• synonymforlornness
• synonymlonelihood
• synonymloneliness
• synonymlonesomeness
• synonymmonopathy
• antonymcompanionship
• antonymfellowship
• antonymsociableness
• antonymisolophilia
• neighborelengeness
• neighborsadness
• neighborsolitude
• neighborempty nest syndrome