Single Definition & Meaning

American

British

Idioms

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms single American [sing-guhl] / ˈsɪŋ gəl /

adjective

1. only one in number; one only; unique; sole.

   a single example.

   Synonyms: particular, distinct

2. of, relating to, or suitable for one person only.

   a single room.

3. solitary or sole; lone.

   He was the single survivor.

   Synonyms: isolated

4. unmarried or not in a romantic relationship.

   a single man.

   Synonyms: unwed

5. pertaining to the unmarried state.

   the single life.

6. of or noting a parent who brings up a child or children alone, without a partner.

7. of one against one, as combat or fight.

8. consisting of only one part, element, or member.

   a single lens.

9. sincere and undivided.

   single devotion.

10. separate, particular, or distinct; individual.

    Every single one of you must do your best. It's the single most important thing.

11. uniform; applicable to all.

    a single safety code for all manufacturers.

12. (of a bed or bedclothes) twin-size.

13. (of a flower) having only one set of petals.

14. British. of standard strength or body, as ale, beer, etc.

15. (of the eye) seeing rightly.

verb (used with object)

singled, singling

1. to pick or choose (one) from others (usually followed byout ).

   to single out a fact for special mention.

   Synonyms: select

2. Baseball.

   1. to cause the advance of (a base runner) by a one-base hit.

   2. to cause (a run) to be scored by a one-base hit (often followed by in orhome ).

verb (used without object)

singled, singling

1. Baseball. to hit a single.

noun

1. one person or thing; a single one.

   Synonyms: individual

2. an accommodation suitable for one person only, as a hotel room or a table at a restaurant.

   to reserve a single.

3. a ticket for a single seat at a theater.

4. British.

   1. a one-way ticket.

   2. a steam locomotive having one driving wheel on each side.

5. singles, people who are unmarried or not in a romantic relationship, especially if relatively young.

   It's not uncommon for singles to feel lonely on Valentine Day.

6. Also called one-base hit. Baseball. a base hit that enables a batter to reach first base safely.

7. (used with a singular verb) singles, a match with one player on each side, as a tennis match.

8. Golf. twosome.

9. Cricket. a hit for which one run is scored.

10. Informal. a one-dollar bill.

11. Music.

    1. a phonograph record, CD, or cassette usually having two songs.

       I probably won't buy the single.

    2. one of the songs recorded on a single.

       a hit single.

    3. a song released or promoted separately from the rest of the album to which it belongs.

       A viral video put that single back on the charts.

12. Textiles. Often singles

    1. reeled or spun silk that may or may not be thrown.

    2. a one-ply yarn of any fiber that has been drawn and twisted.

single British / ˈsɪŋɡəl /

adjective

1. existing alone; solitary

   upon the hill stood a single tower

2. distinct from other things; unique or individual

3. composed of one part

4. designed for one user

   a single room

   a single bed

5. (also postpositive) unmarried

6. connected with the condition of being unmarried

   he led a single life

7. (esp of combat) involving two individuals; one against one

8. sufficient for one person or thing only

   a single portion of food

9. even one

   there wasn't a single person on the beach

10. (of a flower) having only one set or whorl of petals

11. determined; single-minded

    a single devotion to duty

12. (of the eye) seeing correctly

    to consider something with a single eye

13. rare honest or sincere; genuine

14. archaic (of ale, beer, etc) mild in strength

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

1. something forming one individual unit

2. an unmarried person

3. a gramophone record, CD, or cassette with a short recording, usually of pop music, on it

4. golf a game between two players

5. cricket a hit from which one run is scored

6. 1. a pound note

   2. a dollar note

7. See single ticket

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

1. to select from a group of people or things; distinguish by separation

   he singled him out for special mention

2. (tr) to thin out (seedlings)

3. short for single-foot

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 single Idioms

More idioms and phrases containing single

• each and every (every single)

Other Word Forms

• quasi-single adjective
• quasi-singly adverb
• singleness noun
• unsingle adjective

Etymology

Origin of single

First recorded in 1275–1325; late Middle English (adjective), Middle English sengle, from Old French, from Latin singulus “individual, single” (usually in the plural singuli “one apiece”); simplex , simultaneous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When light excites an electron, the process does not follow a single path.

From Science Daily

John Fingleton, who wrote the report, singled out Hinkley Point's elaborate fish protection measures as a case study of "overly cautious regulation".

From BBC

It feels like a single gameweek for Wolves with one game of their double coming against the defensive might of Arsenal.

From BBC

It was also harder for the reformists to distinguish themselves on a single issue this time.

From BBC

"I couldn't turn my phone off as I'm a single parent and a carer for my dad," she said.

From BBC

Related Words

• individual
• lone
• original
• particular
• personal
• private
• separate
• simple
• sole
• special
• specific

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.