solo

Solo is a term with multiple meanings across language, geography, and culture. The word is derived from Italian solo, meaning "alone" or "by oneself." In English, solo can function as an adjective, adverb, or noun to describe performing or acting alone, or something done by a single person.

In music and performing arts, a solo refers to a piece performed by a single musician or singer, or to a section within a larger ensemble that highlights a single performer. The term is used in performers’ directions and program notes to designate such passages.

Geographically, Solo commonly refers to Surakarta, a city on the Indonesian island of Java. Also known as Solo, it is a cultural center and historic site, associated with the Kasunanan Surakarta palace and with Javanese arts such as batik and gamelan.

In popular culture, Han Solo is a central character in the Star Wars franchise. A standalone film, Solo: A Star Wars Story, released in 2018, centers on the younger version of the character and his early adventures in the Star Wars universe. The name Solo has also appeared in various fictional and real-world contexts beyond these uses.