lonesome

Everyday

1. Sad because you are alone and have no friends or company; lonely. tree →
2. Far from other people; empty and quiet, as in a lonesome road. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, songs and cowboy tales («lonesome cowboy»), it shows sadness and loneliness. In everyday American and Canadian talk, «I'm lonesome» means «I'm lonely». Phrases: feel lonesome, on your lonesome (UK, informal: all alone), lonesome road.

Examples

• The puppy felt lonesome without its brothers and sisters. tree →
• The cowboy sang a lonesome song by the fire. tree →
• A lonesome road led across the desert. tree →
• Grandpa gets lonesome since Grandma died. tree →
• «What are you doing here on your lonesome?» asked Nan. tree →
• The lonesome wolf howled at the moon. tree →
• If a friend seems lonesome, ask them to play. tree →
• He feel mighty lonesome, en he feel mighty mad, Brer Rabbit did. tree →

Note

Mostly US and Canadian; in British English «lonely» is usual. «On your lonesome» (UK, informal) = alone. Compare: alone (no one with you, can be happy) and lonely/lonesome (sad about it).