alone
UK[əˈləʊn]US[əˈloʊn]
adj
Without any other people
adj
Feeling unhappy because you are not with other people
adv
Without any help from other people or things
Etymology
The word 'alone' has a transparent yet fused history. It originates from the Middle English 'al one', a direct descendant of the Old English phrase 'all āna', literally meaning 'all one' or 'entirely by oneself'. The two elements, 'all' and 'one', merged over time into a single lexical unit. This fusion perfectly encapsulates the core meaning: a state of being completely singular, without company or assistance. The word's journey from a descriptive phrase to a standalone adjective and adverb illustrates the natural process of language compaction, where a compound concept becomes a fundamental, indivisible word.
Analysis
This is a simplex word of Middle English origin, formed from the fusion of the Old English phrase 'all āna', meaning 'all one' or 'entirely single'.
Examples
She lives alone in a small apartment.
He felt alone in a crowded room.
You cannot solve this problem alone; you need help.