solo
solo Lexical Profile
solo Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Done, performed, or undertaken by one person alone, without assistance or accompaniment.
"After years of playing in a band, the guitarist decided to launch a solo career."
• noun
A musical composition, passage, or dance designed to be performed by a single singer, instrumentalist, or dancer, either alone or with subordinate accompaniment.
"The violinist stepped forward to perform a breathtaking solo during the second movement."
An activity or feat, especially a flight in an aircraft or a climb, performed by one person completely alone.
"Completing her first cross-country solo was a major milestone in her pilot training."
• adverb
Without a companion, partner, or instructor; by oneself.
"She enjoys traveling solo because it gives her complete freedom over her schedule."
• verb
To perform a musical passage, dance, or artistic piece alone as the featured performer.
"The saxophonist soloed effortlessly over the steady rhythm of the jazz quartet."
To fly an aircraft or undertake an expedition alone, especially without an instructor or partner.
"After twenty hours of dual flight instruction, the student pilot finally soloed."
Word Nuance & Usage
The standard plural of the noun is 'solos', though the Italian plural 'soli' is occasionally used in formal classical music contexts.
• Rhymes for solo
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 17th century from Italian 'solo', meaning 'alone', which derives directly from the Latin adjective 'solus' ('alone, single, sole').