alone: Meaning and Definition of

a•lone

Pronunciation: (u-lōn'), [key]
— adj.
  1. separate, apart, or isolated from others: I want to be alone.
  2. to the exclusion of all others or all else: One cannot live by bread alone.
  3. unique; unequaled; unexcelled: He is alone among his peers in devotion to duty.
  4. Leave him alone--he wants to rest.
    1. to allow (someone) to be by himself or herself:Leave him alone--he wants to rest.
    2. to refrain from annoying or interfering with:The youngsters wouldn't leave the dog alone, and he finally turned on them.
  5. He was too tired to walk, let alone run.
    1. to refrain from annoying or interfering with.
    2. not to mention:He was too tired to walk, let alone run.
  6. to be satisfied with the existing situation; refrain from attempting to change conditions: Marriages are often destroyed by relatives who will not let well enough alone.
—adv.
  1. solitarily; solely: She prefers to live alone.
  2. only; exclusively.
  3. without aid or help: The baby let go of the side of the crib and stood alone.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also: