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lonesome

adjective
lone·​some | \ ˈlōn(t)-səm How to pronounce lonesome (audio) \

Definition of lonesome

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : sad or dejected as a result of lack of companionship or separation from others don't be lonesome while we are gone
b : causing a feeling of loneliness the empty house seemed so lonesome
2a : remote, unfrequented look down, look down that lonesome road— Gene Austin
b : lone

lonesome

noun

Definition of lonesome (Entry 2 of 2)

: self sat all by his lonesome
Other Words from lonesome Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about lonesome

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Other Words from lonesome

Adjective

lonesomely adverb
lonesomeness noun

Synonyms for lonesome

Synonyms: Adjective

desolate, forlorn, lonely, lorn

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Choose the Right Synonym for lonesome

Adjective

alone, solitary, lonely, lonesome, lone, forlorn, desolate mean isolated from others. alone stresses the objective fact of being by oneself with slighter notion of emotional involvement than most of the remaining terms. everyone needs to be alone sometimes solitary may indicate isolation as a chosen course glorying in the calm of her solitary life but more often it suggests sadness and a sense of loss. left solitary by the death of his wife lonely adds to solitary a suggestion of longing for companionship. felt lonely and forsaken lonesome heightens the suggestion of sadness and poignancy. an only child often leads a lonesome life lone may replace lonely or lonesome but typically is as objective as alone. a lone robin pecking at the lawn forlorn stresses dejection, woe, and listlessness at separation from one held dear. a forlorn lost child desolate implies inconsolable grief at loss or bereavement. desolate after her brother's death

Examples of lonesome in a Sentence

Adjective

 He was lonesome for his family. The empty house seemed so lonesome.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

 The rest of the herd, who were apparently only out for themselves, left before this patch of land became an island — abandoning Hillary, as the locals have nicknamed the burro, all to her lonesome amid the rising waters. — Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, "Newsletter: Orange County officially has more Democrats than Republicans," 8 Aug. 2019 Borderlands blitz With Destiny delayed, that leaves Borderlands all on its lonesome in mid-September. — Hayden Dingman, PCWorld, "This week in games: Crusader Kings II is as cheap as it will ever get, Destiny 2: Shadowkeep delayed," 2 Aug. 2019 Today, the park is near a lonesome train yard near 78th Avenue and Grand Central Parkway. — Alex Vadukul, New York Times, "When an Ax-Wielding Mob Leveled a Gay Cruising Spot, as Police Watched," 2 July 2019 Even with a population of just over a quarter-million, this West Texas town still somehow feels uncrowded, maybe a little lonesome, because of its remoteness. — Mary Ann Anderson, Twin Cities, "Lubbock is smack in middle of nowhere — and everywhere," 20 July 2019 True to his brand, that’s Lil Nas X riding horseback by his lonesome on 7’s EP cover. — Brian Josephs, EW.com, "Lil Nas X goes through the motions on debut EP 7," 21 June 2019 For the average South African, the name Orania conjures images of wizened old racists wasting away in the hot and lonesome Karoo. — Gregory Barber, WIRED, "Inside an All-White Town’s Divisive Experiment With Cryptocurrency," 6 June 2019 Before the army departed for King's Landing, the Hound got a head start, setting off towards the capital by his lonesome for one last duel with the Mountain. — Ineye Komonibo, Marie Claire, "Will the Cleganebowl Be Sparked by Arya Dying on 'Game of Thrones'?," 6 May 2019 Kate's second event for the day was a truly solo, all-by-her-lonesome visit to the Foundling Museum in London, where she was announced as a new patron. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Kate Middleton Copied Charlotte's Signature Wave at Her Last Engagement," 20 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 The move towards belting out tunes on one’s lonesome does not seem to have affected musical preferences. — The Economist, "Karaoke with colleagues is no longer compulsory in South Korea," 22 Aug. 2019 Just stick to the one lonesome individually wrapped container of corn. — Patrick Varone, Harper's BAZAAR, "How To Throw a Chic Couch Party," 4 Apr. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lonesome.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of lonesome

Adjective

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for lonesome

lonesome

adjective
How to pronounce lonesome (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of lonesome

chiefly US
: sad from being apart from other people
: causing sad feelings that come from being apart from other people
: not visited by or traveled on by many people

See the full definition for lonesome in the English Language Learners Dictionary

lonesome

adjective
lone·​some | \ ˈlōn-səm How to pronounce lonesome (audio) \

Kids Definition of lonesome

1 : sad from being without companions
2 : not often visited or traveled over the lonesome frontier

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More from Merriam-Webster on lonesome

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lonesome

Spanish Central: Translation of lonesome

Nglish: Translation of lonesome for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of lonesome for Arabic Speakers

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