What does loneliness mean?
Loneliness is the unpleasant or unwanted feeling of being without adequate companionship, affection, or social connection. Although a person may be physically surrounded by others, loneliness can still occur when those relationships feel distant, unsatisfying, or lacking in meaningful support. The word is not restricted to being alone: it can describe emotional isolation in a relationship, alienation from a community, or the difficulty of adjusting to a new environment. Loneliness is often discussed as a personal experience, but it can also be a serious social and public-health concern because prolonged loneliness is associated with stress, depression, and poorer well-being. The term is therefore broader than the simple fact of solitude. Solitude may be voluntary and peaceful, whereas loneliness usually carries a sense of loss, isolation, or unmet need. Understanding this distinction helps describe both the subjective experience of feeling alone and the social conditions that can produce it.
nounThe state or feeling of being alone, especially as a result of lacking companionship, affection, or social connection. It can also describe a sense of isolation or emotional separation from others.
- The state or feeling of being alone without desired companionship, affection, or social connection.
- A sense of emotional separation or exclusion from others, whether or not one is physically alone.
"Her loneliness was eased by the companionship of an old friend."
"Moving to a new city left him struggling with loneliness."
"The report found that loneliness can affect a person's mental and physical health."
Loneliness is the space between being alone and feeling unwanted.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does loneliness come from?
The word is formed from the adjective lone, meaning “by oneself” or “without companions,” together with the suffix -ness, which forms a noun indicating a state or quality. The adjective lone developed from Middle English and ultimately reflects an Old English root associated with being solitary or separate. Related English forms include lonely, lonesome, and alone, which share the same historical root and semantic development.
How loneliness is actually used
Generally neutral and widely used in both formal and informal contexts. It describes an unwanted or distressing lack of connection more often than chosen solitude, and it can be used figuratively for people, places, or situations.
Easily confused with loneliness
Solitude can be a chosen or peaceful state of being alone, whereas loneliness specifically emphasizes an unwanted or painful lack of companionship.
Isolation refers more broadly to separation from others or from society, while loneliness is the subjective emotional experience of that separation.