What's the difference between loneliness and solitude?

[Peotic]

I saw the great and beautiful movie "Badlands". In some part of it Hollie, one of the two main characters said that they lived neither here or there. That they were all alone. Then Kit, the other main character, replies (at least, that's implied in the voice-over by Hollie) that solitude would be a better word. But why? What's the difference between these words? Between loneliness and solitude?

 

In Dutch there is only one word: eenzaamheid.

[danielcavanagh]

Lonliness is close to WANTING to be with other people. Solitude just means you are alone, you can be happy or sad that you are alone. Lonliness is a very negative word. Solitude can be positive or negative! Hope this helped!

[SayMore Consulting]

Loneliness and solitude are two different feelings.

Loneliness is when you feel sad and disconnected because you're alone and miss being with others. It can make you feel unhappy.

Solitude is when you choose to be alone and it doesn't make you sad. You might like being alone sometimes to relax, think, or just enjoy your own company.

In short, loneliness is the feeling of sadness when you're alone, while solitude is being alone by choice and feeling fine about it.

[pineapple_pizza]

The key difference between loneliness and solitude lies in choice and feeling:

• Loneliness is like being trapped in a room alone and desperately wanting the door to open.
• Solitude is like choosing to sit quietly in a room alone because you enjoy the peace and quiet.

In essence, loneliness is a painful feeling of being alone, while solitude is a peaceful state of being alone. The crucial factor is your internal experience and whether the aloneness is desired or not.