Pronunciation: [fɹˈɛndləsnəs] (IPA) 
The word "friendlessness" is spelled with two separate suffixes - "friend" and "less". The first part, "friend", is pronounced /frend/ with the "f" sound, the "r" sound, the "e" sound as in "bed", the "n" sound, and the "d" sound. The second part, "less", is pronounced /ləs/ with the "l" sound, the schwa sound, and the "s" sound. Together, friendlessness means a state of being without friends or companions.
Friendlessness refers to the state or condition of lacking companionship or social connections with others. It is the state of having no friends, or being without the presence of friendly and supportive individuals in one's life. Friendlessness can be a result of various factors, such as social isolation, introversion, or difficulty in establishing and maintaining relationships.
In today's highly interconnected world, friendlessness can be particularly challenging and detrimental to one's well-being. Lack of social connections and meaningful relationships can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and a sense of being misunderstood or unsupported. This state of friendlessness can have adverse effects on an individual's mental health, self-esteem, and overall happiness.
Friendlessness can be voluntary or involuntary. Some individuals may choose to befriend themselves or feel content with solitude, while others may struggle with building and sustaining friendships due to various personal, cultural, or environmental factors. Friendlessness can also be temporary or long-term, and it can vary in intensity from occasional bouts of solitude to chronic feelings of social exclusion.
Addressing friendlessness often involves actively seeking out opportunities to connect with others, such as joining social groups, participating in community activities, or engaging in hobbies that facilitate social interaction. Building friendships requires effort, understanding, and open-mindedness. By forming connections and nurturing relationships with others, individuals can combat friendlessness and cultivate a sense of belonging, companionship, and support in their lives.
The word "friendlessness" is derived from the combination of two elements: "friend" and the suffix "-less".
The term "friend" dates back to the Old English word "freond", which evolved from the Proto-Germanic word "*frijōnd" meaning "to love" or "to like". It had similar forms in other Germanic languages such as Old High German "friunt", Old Norse "frændi", and Gothic "frijonds".
The "-less" suffix, commonly used in English to indicate the absence or lack of something, derived from Old English "-leas" (meaning "without" or "lacking"), which ultimately comes from the Old English word "leas" meaning "free", "loose", or "idle".
Therefore, "friendlessness" implies the state of lacking or being without friends.
