NYT Dictionary

LONELY

/ˈloʊnli/
AdjectiveLONE-lylone-ly · 2 syllablesGrade 3

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2025

Meaning

Unhappy due to feeling isolated from contact with other people.

Etymology

Origin: Unknown

From lone + -ly, or from an apheretic shortening of alonely. See lone.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

desolatedesertemptyunpeopledunpopulatedsolitaryaloneunaccompaniedlonesomelone

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 4 recorded puzzles:

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