The difference between Lonely and Lonesome

When used as adjectives, lonely means unhappy because of feeling isolated from contact with other people, whereas lonesome means unhappy due to being alone.


Lonesome is also noun with the meaning: oneself alone.

check bellow for the other definitions of Lonely and Lonesome

  1. Lonely as an adjective:

    Unhappy because of feeling isolated from contact with other people.

  2. Lonely as an adjective (of a, place or time):

    Unfrequented by people; desolate.

  3. Lonely as an adjective (of a, person):

    Without companions; solitary.

  1. Lonesome as an adjective:

    Unhappy due to being alone; lonely.

  1. Lonesome as a noun (informal):

    Oneself alone.

    Examples:

    "I sat and watched the cars pass all by my lonesome''."