Everyman, very behind, deserted and alone (8)
I believe the answer is:
isolated
'alone' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'everyman very behind deserted' is the wordplay.
'everyman' becomes 'i' (where 'Everyman' is the setter of the crossword).
'very' becomes 'so' (both can mean 'extremely').
'behind' becomes 'late' (as in behind schedule).
'deserted' becomes 'd'.
'i'+'so'+'late'+'d'='ISOLATED'
'and' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for isolated that I've seen before include "(Left) on one's own" , "Off the beaten track" , "Cut off or left behind" , "Solitary" , "Single" .)