by Lisa Jones | September, 2021 | Lisa Jones, Loneliness
As a loneliness researcher, I am interested in the history and meaning of the word. Did you know there is no specific word that means the opposite of loneliness? This is intriguing in itself! Just to add to the mix, if you compare the word solitude with loneliness you will find definitions and synonyms that overlap. Yet loneliness is considered negative and solitude is seen as positive. So what is loneliness and is it possible to reduce the negative feelings associated with it? So what is loneliness? The most common definition is ‘a perceived lack of social support’, or an alternative way of saying this is ‘the discrepancy between actual and preferred social relationships’. These definitions are specific to connecting with other people and define loneliness as not having the right quality or quantity of social support. Dictionary definitions focus on feelings of unhappiness because there are no friends or people around. What is solitude? Solitude has a more flexible definition. It is less emotive and is about being alone. This is usually considered a pleasant experience. It is often something that is chosen. It doesn’t evoke the same level of concern as the word loneliness. There is even a word to describe someone who leads and enjoys a solitary life: ‘solitudinarian’. History of the two words The word loneliness comes from the Latin word ‘solus’ meaning alone, which is where solitary comes from too. Words often have multiple meanings and loneliness is no exception. Furthermore, the word solitary was used in the English language before the word loneliness. In the 14th Century the word solitary...
