individually

American  

[in-duh-vij-oo-uh-lee] / ˌɪn dəˈvɪdʒ u ə li /

adverb

1. one at a time; separately.

   The delegates were introduced individually.

2. personally.

   Each of us is individually responsible.

3. in an individual or personally unique manner.

   Her interpretation was individually conceived.

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Etymology

Origin of individually

First recorded in 1590–1600; individual + -ly

Explanation

Anything done individually happens one at a time, separate from others. In baseball, each player bats individually. An individual is a single person, or you can refer to an individual thing, which is one thing. Likewise, anything described as happening individually happens one by one or separately. An only child is raised individually. Doctors usually see patients individually, not in groups. If you're in a single-file line, you're lined up individually. Think of the number one when you see or hear the word individually.

Example Sentences

“But you can’t do that with the hair. You have to build them individually and then solder them in.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

The technology required teachers to barcode and upload each exam question individually for each credit, which was a challenge initially.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

The team also plans to examine how different elements of the retreat, including meditation, reconceptualization, and open-label placebo healing, contribute individually and together.

From Science Daily • Apr. 7, 2026

Of course, there are ways to stream every Yankees game in 2026 other than buying each service individually.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

Little round cheeses individually wrapped in red wax.

From "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell

Related Words

• alone
• independently
• personally