Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

loneliness

/ˈloʊnlinəs/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.65 in modern English

Syllables: lone-li-ness
IPA: /ˈloʊnlinəs/

10

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A feeling of depression resulting from being alone or from having no companions.

Uncountable

noun

The condition or state of being alone or having no companions.

Uncountable

noun

The state of being unfrequented or devoid of human activity (of a place or time).

Uncountable

noun

A desire to be alone; disposition to solitude.

Obsolete; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"The loneliness resulting from the loss of loved ones, lack of purpose in life, and social discrimination is a real inner hell."
"Cecilia proposed to her the society of Henrietta, which, glad to catch at any thing that would break into her loneliness, she listened to with pleasure […]"
"We […] feel deep pity for a man who is condemned to the loneliness of being remarkable […]"
"Loneliness got a mind of its own The more people around, the more you feel alone"
"But if the point of living lies in relationships with other people, then it’s hard to think of A.I. assistants that imitate humans without nervousness. I don’t think they’re going to solve the loneliness epidemic at all."
"Hitherto all things that have bin nam’d, were approv’d of God to be very good: lonelines is the first thing which Gods eye nam’d not good […]"

Etymology

From lonely + -ness.

Word Breakdown

Suffix: lonely

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈloʊnlinəs/

Usage

Inflected Forms

lonelinesses (plural) lanelines (alternative, Scotland)

Frequently Paired Words

elengeness

Synonyms

ellingness lonesomeness aloneness friendlessness isolation loneliness loneness onehead oneship onlyhood onliness seclusion

Antonyms

companionship fellowship sociableness isolophilia

Questions

How do you pronounce loneliness?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈloʊnlinəs/.
What does loneliness mean?: A feeling of depression resulting from being alone or from having no companions.
Where does loneliness come from?: From lonely + -ness.

How to pronounce loneliness

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “loneliness”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈloʊnlinəs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “loneliness”.
Repeat and practice — Say “loneliness” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.