individual
a single human being, as distinguished from a group.
a person: A strange individual came around asking if we wanted to buy any lamps.
a distinct, indivisible entity; a single thing, being, instance, or item.
a group considered as a unit.
Biology.
a single organism capable of independent existence.
a member of a compound organism or colony.
Cards. a duplicate-bridge tournament in which each player plays the same number of hands in partnership with every other player, individual scores for each player being kept for each hand.
single; particular; separate: It's standard practice to number individual copies of a limited edition.
intended for the use of one person only: Servers handed out individual portions of a pizza to guests at the party.
of, relating to, or characteristic of a particular person or thing: The decor was highly reflective of his individual tastes.
distinguished by special, singular, or markedly personal characteristics; exhibiting unique or unusual qualities: She was known for her highly individual style of painting.
existing as a distinct, indivisible entity, or considered as such; discrete: It can be difficult to replace individual parts of a tea set if one breaks.
belonging to a set or group of which each is different or of a different design from the others: For Christmas they got a set of individual coffee cups.
Origin of individual
1synonym study For individual
usage note For individual
Other words from individual
- in·ter·in·di·vid·u·al, adjective
- non·in·di·vid·u·al, adjective
- su·per·in·di·vid·u·al, adjective, noun
- su·per·in·di·vid·u·al·ly, adverb
- trans·in·di·vid·u·al, adjective
Words that may be confused with individual
- individual , person (see usage note at the current entry)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use individual in a sentence
I often wonder what contributions to art and innovation society would have gathered if not for how it treats trans individuals.
Dear Leelah, We Will Fight On For You: A Letter to a Dead Trans Teen | Parker Molloy | January 1, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe team tracked individuals from afar to get a sense of their behavior.
Mongooses, Meerkats, and Ants, Oh My! Why Some Animals Keep Mating All in the Family | Helen Thompson | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI have not sued Phi Kappa Psi, the University of Virginia, or any of the individuals involved.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything | Liz Seccuro | December 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey were individuals who were vulnerable to being recruited.
What the U.S. Can Learn from Europe About Dealing with Terrorists | Scott Beauchamp | December 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHow individuals act in their homes, churches, communities, and even in public—that is up to them.
Do LGBTs Owe Christians an Olive Branch? Try The Other Way Around | Jay Michaelson | December 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Gilbert was one of those petted individuals who carry the good-will of others by storm.
The World Before Them | Susanna MoodieThe proglottides are sexually complete individuals, derived from the scolex by budding.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddBesides, acts of Parliament do not generally affect individuals, and every interest is represented.
The Eve of the Revolution | Carl BeckerMore recently general statutes have been enacted whereby individuals may form such corporations without the aid of a legislature.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney BollesThe courts also say, that he can sell his stock to other individuals and thus practically revive a dying corporation.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney Bolles
British Dictionary definitions for individual
/ (ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəl) /
of, relating to, characteristic of, or meant for a single person or thing
separate or distinct, esp from others of its kind; particular: please mark the individual pages
characterized by unusual and striking qualities; distinctive
obsolete indivisible; inseparable
a single person, esp when regarded as distinct from others
biology
a single animal or plant, esp as distinct from a species
a single member of a compound organism or colony
logic
Also called: particular an object as opposed to a property or class
an element of the domain of discourse of a theory
Origin of individual
1Derived forms of individual
- individually, adverb
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
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