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Marold Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Lonesome vs. Lonely
Lonesome
Lonely
What is the difference between such adjectives as these above? They seem equal in meaning to me and I perceive only the distinction in a suffix.
Thanks in advance.
Lonely
What is the difference between such adjectives as these above? They seem equal in meaning to me and I perceive only the distinction in a suffix.
Thanks in advance.
Top answer
Although dictionaries call them synonyms, lonesome seems to connote a more depressed and pitiable state.
- Although dictionaries call them synonyms, lonesome seems to connote a more depressed and pitiable state.
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6 Answers
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Although dictionaries call them synonyms, lonesome seems to connote a more depressed and pitiable state.
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Aspara GusAlthough dictionaries call them synonyms, lonesome seems to connote a more depressed and pitiable state.It's difficult to argue with a good dictionary, but I agree with Gus.
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Hi,
As an immigrant to N. America, 'lonesome' sounds to me a bit like something a cowboy would say.
As an immigrant to N. America, 'lonesome' sounds to me a bit like something a cowboy would say.
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Clive'lonesome' sounds to me a bit like something a cowboy would say.I agree. Sometimes it's the context that helps us select one of those words over the other.
CJ
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Maroldthe difference between such adjectives'lonesome' can only describe human beings. It means 'devoid of human company'. At least that's the usual usage.
For example, you can speak of eagles roosting on a lonely cliff, but not on a lonesome cliff! Or if you did, you would be trying to be poetic in personifying the cliff.
CJ
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All your comments on this seem reasonable and adequate and I appreciate them.
Thank you all very much.
Thank you all very much.
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