solely
Pronunciation: /ˈsəʊlli/
adverb
Difficulty: common
Definition of solely
solely (adverb): Not involving anything or anyone else; exclusively or entirely, without exception.
Example: The decision was made solely by the CEO, without consulting the board of directors.
Best for: common-difficulty vocabulary; learners who already know "only" or "exclusively"; GRE Verbal (Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence); SAT Reading & Writing (Words in Context).
Origin of solely
Language of origin: Latin
Root word: solus
Original meaning: alone
How it evolved: Originally used to describe isolation or exclusivity, the term evolved to emphasize singularity and exclusivity in action or focus.
The word 'solely' derives from the Middle English 'sole,' which traces back to the Latin 'solus,' meaning 'alone.'
First known use: 15th century
How to Remember solely
Think of 'sole' as meaning 'alone' or 'single' — if something is done solely, it’s done entirely by itself, without anyone or anything else involved.
Synonyms for solely
- only
- exclusively
- entirely
- purely
- strictly
- merely
- sole
- single-handedly
Antonyms of solely
- jointly
- collectively
- together
- mutually
- shared
solely in a Sentence
- The decision was made solely by the CEO, without consulting the board of directors.
- She focused solely on her studies, ignoring all distractions that came her way.
- The scholarship was awarded solely to students who demonstrated exceptional leadership skills.
solely in Literature & Culture
‘Solely’ frequently appears in philosophical and literary texts to denote singularity of purpose or focus, often in discussions about individualism versus collectivism.
Usage Notes
‘Solely’ is often used to emphasize exclusivity or singularity in contexts where no other party, factor, or element is involved. Avoid confusing it with 'solo,' which refers to an individual performance or undertaking rather than exclusivity of focus.
Why solely Matters for GRE & SAT
The word ‘solely’ frequently appears in analytical writing and reading comprehension passages to denote exclusivity or singular causation, making it critical for understanding nuanced arguments on the GRE.
Word Family
- sole (adjective)
- Being the only one; exclusive.
- solitude (noun)
- The state of being alone or isolated.
- solo (noun)
- A performance by a single person without accompaniment.
Did You Know?
- The word 'solely' shares its root with the word 'solitary,' both deriving from the Latin 'solus.'
- A famous quote by Helen Keller states, 'Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much,' which indirectly contrasts the idea of doing something solely with collaborative effort.
- In legal contexts, 'solely' is often used to clarify responsibility or ownership, as in ‘sole proprietorship.’
Related Words
- individual
- unique
- Sycophant — A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important to gain advantage.
- sadistic — taking pleasure in causing pain or suffering to others
- sagacious — demonstrating wisdom or sound judgment
- salubrious — promoting health or well-being
- salutary — beneficial, especially in promoting health or well-being
- sanctimonious — giving the impression that one is morally superior
More Vocabulary Words Starting with S
- Sycophant — A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important to gain advantage.
- sadistic — taking pleasure in causing pain or suffering to others
- sadistic — taking pleasure in causing pain or suffering to others
- sagacious — demonstrating wisdom or sound judgment
- sagacious — demonstrating wisdom or sound judgment
- salubrious — promoting health or well-being
- salubrious — promoting health or well-being
- salutary — beneficial, especially in promoting health or well-being
- salutary — beneficial, especially in promoting health or well-being
- sanctimonious — giving the impression that one is morally superior