ESL Podcast 361 - Feeling Lonely

lonely - with the sad feeling of being alone, solitary, and isolated, without other people

Sometimes it can be lonely to live in an apartment by yourself, but at least you don't have to deal with roommates!

to strike up a new friendship - to begin a new friendship; to begin being friends with someone

Tamara is able to strike up new friendships very easily, but her sister is shy and it takes her more time.

sociable - very friendly and outgoing, enjoying spending time with other people

Suwelo is very sociable and always has at least three parties to go to each weekend.

lasting friendship - a friendship that lasts for a very long time, perhaps all of one's life

Zoe has a lasting friendship with her best friend from first grade and now, thirty years later, they still see each other every week.

lone wolf - a person who likes to be alone more than with other people; a person who does not enjoy spending time with other people

Albert is a lone wolf who prefers reading books and listening to music in his room instead of going out with friends.

out on (one's) own - independent; without financial and/or other support from other people; alone

Many Americans go out on their own when they are 18 years old and are considered adults.

solitary - alone; isolated; without other people

All of Becky's friends went to the beach, but she had to stay home, so she had a very solitary weekend in town.

to yearn - to want something very much; to long for something

Some of our best students genuinely yearn for knowledge.

to people-watch - to go to a public place and watch the people passing by, noting how they are dressed, how they act, and what they say

We like to people-watch in New York City's Times Square because there are so many different types of people there!

to hang out - to spend time with someone in a relaxed, unstructured way

Do you want to hang out with us on Saturday, or do you already have plans?

arm-in-arm - walking with arms linked; walking with one's arm bent at the elbow so that another person's arm passes through the opening created and the two people are close to each other

Celinda walked arm-in-arm with her husband as they entered the room.

to break down - to get rid of something; to eliminate something; to overcome something

It can be very difficult to break down racial stereotypes.

companionship - friendship; being with someone whom one likes; not being alone; having friends

Some older people like to live in group homes because they enjoy the companionship of other people their own age.

camaraderie - the feeling of friendship among a group of people who spend time together

At first, the business students didn't know each other, but within a few weeks they had developed a strong sense of camaraderie.

rapport - easy communication, good understanding, and friendliness between and among people

Do you have a better rapport with your math or English professor?

to dread - to fear something that is going to happen in the future; to be worried or anxious about something that might happen

As summer vacation ended, Hannah dreaded going back to school.