plural solos
1
or plural soli
ˈsō-(ˌ)lē 
a
: a musical composition for a single voice or instrument with or without accompaniment
b
: the featured part of a concerto or similar work
2
: a performance in which the performer has no partner or associate : something undertaken or done alone
a student pilot's first solo
3
: any of several card games in which a player elects to play without a partner against the other players
1
: accommodating one person
a solo canoe
2
: of, relating to, or being a solo
a solo performance
a solo flight
3
: hit with no runners on base
a solo home run
soloed; soloing
ˈsō-(ˌ)lō-iŋ
-lə-wiŋ
: to perform by oneself: such as
a
: to perform a musical solo
b
: to fly an airplane without one's instructor on board
Synonyms
Examples of solo in a Sentence
Noun
She is learning to fly and she flew her first solo yesterday.
Adjective
a student pilot's first solo flight
She left the band last year and started a solo career.
He just issued his first solo album.
Verb
The guitarist solos on practically every song.
She soloed for the first time yesterday.
Recent Examples on the Web
Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2024
Mark Lanegan – Whiskey for the Holy Ghost Screaming Trees were at the height of their fame when frontman Mark Lanegan released his second solo album for Sub Pop.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 21 Apr. 2024
Another line seems to reference both solo artist and Boygenius member Lucy Dacus and Swift’s close collaborator and Bleachers frontman Jack Antonoff.
—EW.com, 20 Apr. 2024
Since rising to prominence 12 years ago as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist in the band Alabama Shakes, Brittany Howard has come into her own as a solo artist.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
After an ambitious solo trip leaves her shipwrecked on a remote island, a young sailor is rescued by its lone inhabitant: a lighthouse keeper.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
Sheets’ solo homer off the right-field foul pole made it 2-0.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
Feelings grew when the couple went on an Episode 2 solo date.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
But once we were all locked down, John asked me to play on his solo album.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2024
Al Shipley, SPIN, 21 Apr. 2024
At a time when many luxury brands are being brought into conglomerates like LVMH and Kering, Armani has kept his company flying solo.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2024
The standout piece is easy to stack with other rings or to wear solo as a statement.
—Ali Faccenda, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Pet cats often get briefly shown to convey somebody is living a solitary life (as if living solo with a cat is a bad thing).
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
Theoretically, opener Miss Grit was the antithesis of the Last Dinner Party’s baroque stylings, with Margaret Sohn performing Grit’s alternative and electronic rock songs solo under intentionally shadowy lighting.
—Journal Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2024
One by one, each finalist will first come to Indianapolis to do community outreach and to perform solo and with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra at the Indiana History Center.
—The Indianapolis Star, 14 Mar. 2024
Growing up in Toronto, Summers was operating snowmobiles solo by the age of 12.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Having co-hosted the CMT Music Awards three times in the past, this year marks Ballerini's first time handling emcee duties solo.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
Susan Page, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
McRae shared a post on Instagram marking the anniversary, too, which included the same video of Taylor-Joy and photo of the couple with their friends, but also a solo shot of the actress in her wedding dress with a long white veil.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Since then, each member has pursued a solo music career.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2024
The 27-year-old rapper achieved all of this in just four years, culminating in the February release of his first solo studio album, ICEBERG.
—Danny Hajjar, SPIN, 9 Apr. 2024
Closing reception for solo exhibition featuring works of renowned landscape painter and Northern Kentucky University professor of painting.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 7 Apr. 2024
And his work is now being featured at a solo exhibition that opened yesterday at American University here in Washington.
—CBS News, 7 Apr. 2024
Facing a left-handed pitcher for the first time this season in Zack Thompson — Hernández has fared much better against lefties than righties in his career — Hernández clobbered an elevated fastball in the second inning into the right-field bullpen for a solo blast.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024
With another solo date on the horizon, this was crucial.
—Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2024
Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024
One day Cissy said, 'Your baby is soloing in church for the first time this Sunday.
—Mary Shaughnessy, Peoplemag, 9 Aug. 2023
Classical Music San Diego Symphony music director Rafael Payare and cello star Alisa Weilerstein hit all the right notes April 19, 2020 Weilerstein will solo on Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2023
How can solo travelers ensure their own safety?
—Roger Sands, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2021
My test was comprised of trips near and far, in traffic and on winding mountain roads, solo the whole time, and always in a hurry while being safe about it.
—Josh Max, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022
Three-Eight Charlie is the story of Jerrie Mock’s record-setting flight as the first woman to solo around the world in 1964 in a single-engine Cessna 180.
—Lucia Cheng, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Aug. 2022
Richard Lin, who won the 2018 gold medal in the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, will solo.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Aug. 2021
Richard Lin, who won the 2018 gold media in the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, will solo.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 13 July 2021
Noun
Kevin Abstract, the Brockhampton founding member and solo artist, surprised fans during his solo set at Coachella Weekend Two on Saturday with an appearance from Lil Nas X.
—Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2024
Mark Lanegan – Whiskey for the Holy Ghost Screaming Trees were at the height of their fame when frontman Mark Lanegan released his second solo album for Sub Pop.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 21 Apr. 2024
Another line seems to reference both solo artist and Boygenius member Lucy Dacus and Swift’s close collaborator and Bleachers frontman Jack Antonoff.
—EW.com, 20 Apr. 2024
Since rising to prominence 12 years ago as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist in the band Alabama Shakes, Brittany Howard has come into her own as a solo artist.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024
After an ambitious solo trip leaves her shipwrecked on a remote island, a young sailor is rescued by its lone inhabitant: a lighthouse keeper.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 17 Apr. 2024
Sheets’ solo homer off the right-field foul pole made it 2-0.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024
Feelings grew when the couple went on an Episode 2 solo date.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
But once we were all locked down, John asked me to play on his solo album.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2024
Adverb
Deeply unconventional bands such as Boredoms, Jawbox and Shudder to Think got to play with major-label budgets, members of Screaming Trees and Throwing Muses went solo and even actress Milla Jovovich had an alt-rock hit.
—Al Shipley, SPIN, 21 Apr. 2024
At a time when many luxury brands are being brought into conglomerates like LVMH and Kering, Armani has kept his company flying solo.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2024
The standout piece is easy to stack with other rings or to wear solo as a statement.
—Ali Faccenda, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Pet cats often get briefly shown to convey somebody is living a solitary life (as if living solo with a cat is a bad thing).
—James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
Theoretically, opener Miss Grit was the antithesis of the Last Dinner Party’s baroque stylings, with Margaret Sohn performing Grit’s alternative and electronic rock songs solo under intentionally shadowy lighting.
—Journal Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2024
One by one, each finalist will first come to Indianapolis to do community outreach and to perform solo and with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra at the Indiana History Center.
—The Indianapolis Star, 14 Mar. 2024
Growing up in Toronto, Summers was operating snowmobiles solo by the age of 12.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
Having co-hosted the CMT Music Awards three times in the past, this year marks Ballerini's first time handling emcee duties solo.
—Jack Irvin, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
Adjective
Harry Reasoner, then the solo anchor of the show, was less than welcoming.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
McRae shared a post on Instagram marking the anniversary, too, which included the same video of Taylor-Joy and photo of the couple with their friends, but also a solo shot of the actress in her wedding dress with a long white veil.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Since then, each member has pursued a solo music career.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Apr. 2024
The 27-year-old rapper achieved all of this in just four years, culminating in the February release of his first solo studio album, ICEBERG.
—Danny Hajjar, SPIN, 9 Apr. 2024
Closing reception for solo exhibition featuring works of renowned landscape painter and Northern Kentucky University professor of painting.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 7 Apr. 2024
And his work is now being featured at a solo exhibition that opened yesterday at American University here in Washington.
—CBS News, 7 Apr. 2024
Facing a left-handed pitcher for the first time this season in Zack Thompson — Hernández has fared much better against lefties than righties in his career — Hernández clobbered an elevated fastball in the second inning into the right-field bullpen for a solo blast.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024
With another solo date on the horizon, this was crucial.
—Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2024
Verb
Shared by Burbank and North Hollywood, Valhalla Memorial Park, opened a few years before Charles Lindbergh soloed across the Atlantic, had its past share of fraud and neglect.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024
One day Cissy said, 'Your baby is soloing in church for the first time this Sunday.
—Mary Shaughnessy, Peoplemag, 9 Aug. 2023
Classical Music San Diego Symphony music director Rafael Payare and cello star Alisa Weilerstein hit all the right notes April 19, 2020 Weilerstein will solo on Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2023
How can solo travelers ensure their own safety?
—Roger Sands, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2021
My test was comprised of trips near and far, in traffic and on winding mountain roads, solo the whole time, and always in a hurry while being safe about it.
—Josh Max, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022
Three-Eight Charlie is the story of Jerrie Mock’s record-setting flight as the first woman to solo around the world in 1964 in a single-engine Cessna 180.
—Lucia Cheng, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Aug. 2022
Richard Lin, who won the 2018 gold medal in the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, will solo.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Aug. 2021
Richard Lin, who won the 2018 gold media in the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, will solo.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 13 July 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'solo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near solo
Cite this Entry
“Solo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solo. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
solo
2 of 3 adverb or adjective
: without a companion : alone
solo
3 of 3 verb
soloed; soloing
-(ˌ)lō-iŋ,
-lə-wiŋ
: to perform by oneself
especially
: to fly an airplane without one's instructor
Etymology
Noun
from Italian solo "a part in music performed without accompaniment," from solo (adjective) "alone," from Latin solus "alone" — related to desolate, sole entry 4, solitude
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