Meaning & use
solitaire
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountableAmerican
A card game for one player, often played by removing cards in a certain order.
Grammar: Usually uncountable when referring to the game: play solitaire. In British English, the game is often called 'patience'.
Patterns
- play solitaire
- a game of solitaire
He spends hours playing solitaire on his computer.
She taught me how to play solitaire with a regular deck of cards.
Solitaire is a good way to pass the time when you're alone.
nouncountable
A single gemstone set alone in a piece of jewelry, especially a ring.
Grammar: Countable: a solitaire, two solitaires.
Patterns
- diamond solitaire
- solitaire ring
She wore a diamond solitaire on her ring finger.
The engagement ring featured a large solitaire surrounded by smaller stones.
He bought her a solitaire necklace for their anniversary.
Word forms
| plural | solitaires |
|---|
Common combinations
- play solitaire
- I often play solitaire when I can't sleep.
- diamond solitaire
- The diamond solitaire sparkled under the lights.
- solitaire ring
- He proposed with a classic solitaire ring.
- game of solitaire
- She won the game of solitaire in just five minutes.
Synonyms and how they differ
- patience
- The British term for the card game; 'solitaire' is more common in American English.
Commonly confused: solitaire or solitary?
solitaire vs solitary
Means 'alone' or 'single'; 'solitaire' is the game or the gemstone. They sound similar but are different words.
Practice
I'm bored, so I'll just stay home and play ______ on my phone.
Choose one answer.
The card game is called 'solitaire'. 'Solitary' is an adjective meaning alone, 'solitude' is a noun meaning the state of being alone, and 'solitaires' is the plural, which doesn't fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “solitaire”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.