Solitary / Lonely

[Belly T]

I consider the two words as the similar meaning, but today I found a sentence:
.I was very ____ and depressed when I first went to live abroad.
a) lonely
b) alone
c) on my own
d) solitary

I thought that b and c are the same meaning, and so do a and d. But we have to pick up one to fill in the blank. I'm in mess with it, anybody help?

[mykwyner]

Lonely is the only one of your choices that describes a sad mood or feeling, that is why I'd choose it to pair up with depressed.

[Belly T]

But how about "solitary"? It expresses the same meaning too, huh?

[mykwyner]

No, there can be a solitary person who is very happy in his solitude (I'm like that quite often). Because one is solitary, does not mean that one is sad, lonely, or depressed.

[Barb_D]

No, solitary simply means alone. It doesn't have a "mood" or feeling.

A thing can be solitary, but not lonely. I can be solitary (and yesterday I was) but I was not lonely - I was just alone.

After several days of being solitary, I might begin to feel lonely.

EDIT: Sorry, I was answered the same time as you. But at least we agree! :)