Stand-alone vs. Stand Alone vs. Standalone
Cambridge records “stand-alone” and “standalone” as adjective variants. The spaced “stand alone” is an ordinary verb-plus-adverb/predicative construction, so it is not interchangeable with the compound adjective in every sentence.
Use “stand-alone” or the documented variant “standalone” as an adjective meaning independent or self-contained. Use “stand alone” as two words when “stand” is the verb and “alone” describes how the subject stands or exists.
Key details
Choose the right form
| If you mean / need | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| an independent/self-contained thing used before a noun | stand-alone / standalone | Cambridge records both adjective forms. |
| the verbal idea of standing or existing alone | stand alone | The verb and adverb remain separate. |
Further guidance
Core difference
Use “stand-alone” or “standalone” as the documented adjective forms. Use “stand alone” when “stand” is functioning as the verb and “alone” describes the subject.
Fast Test
Ask what job the expression is doing in the sentence. A noun/adjective form may be closed or hyphenated by dictionary convention; a verb or predicate normally keeps the words separate.
Variant Boundary
Cambridge gives “stand-alone” with “standalone” as a variant; ordinary verbal “stand alone” remains two words.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Stand-alone — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Hyphenated “stand-alone” adjective with documented closed “standalone” variant
- Alone — Collins English Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Collins English Dictionary · Ordinary two-word predicate/adverbial use with “stand alone” meaning stand without others or help