single
Americanadjective
-
only one in number; one only; unique; sole.
a single example.
- Synonyms:
- particular, distinct
-
of, relating to, or suitable for one person only.
a single room.
-
solitary or sole; lone.
He was the single survivor.
- Synonyms:
- isolated
-
unmarried or not in a romantic relationship.
a single man.
- Synonyms:
- unwed
-
pertaining to the unmarried state.
the single life.
-
of or noting a parent who brings up a child or children alone, without a partner.
-
of one against one, as combat or fight.
-
consisting of only one part, element, or member.
a single lens.
-
sincere and undivided.
single devotion.
-
separate, particular, or distinct; individual.
Every single one of you must do your best. It's the single most important thing.
-
uniform; applicable to all.
a single safety code for all manufacturers.
-
(of a bed or bedclothes) twin-size.
-
(of a flower) having only one set of petals.
-
British. of standard strength or body, as ale, beer, etc.
-
(of the eye) seeing rightly.
verb (used with object)
-
singles,
present (3rd person singular)
-
singled,
past participle, past
-
singling
present participle
-
to pick or choose (one) from others (usually followed byout ).
to single out a fact for special mention.
- Synonyms:
- select
-
Baseball.
-
to cause the advance of (a base runner) by a one-base hit.
-
to cause (a run) to be scored by a one-base hit (often followed by in orhome ).
-
verb (used without object)
-
singles,
present (3rd person singular)
-
singled,
past participle, past
-
singling
present participle
noun
-
singles
plural
-
one person or thing; a single one.
- Synonyms:
- individual
-
an accommodation suitable for one person only, as a hotel room or a table at a restaurant.
to reserve a single.
-
a ticket for a single seat at a theater.
-
British.
-
a one-way ticket.
-
a steam locomotive having one driving wheel on each side.
-
-
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.
-
Also called one-base hit. Baseball. a base hit that enables a batter to reach first base safely.
-
(used with a singular verb) singles, a match with one player on each side, as a tennis match.
-
Golf. twosome.
-
Cricket. a hit for which one run is scored.
-
Informal. a one-dollar bill.
-
Music.
-
a phonograph record, CD, or cassette usually having two songs.
I probably won't buy the single.
-
one of the songs recorded on a single.
a hit single.
-
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.
-
-
Textiles. Often singles
-
reeled or spun silk that may or may not be thrown.
-
a one-ply yarn of any fiber that has been drawn and twisted.
-
adjective
-
existing alone; solitary
upon the hill stood a single tower
-
distinct from other things; unique or individual
-
composed of one part
-
designed for one user
a single room
a single bed
-
(also postpositive) unmarried
-
connected with the condition of being unmarried
he led a single life
-
(esp of combat) involving two individuals; one against one
-
sufficient for one person or thing only
a single portion of food
-
even one
there wasn't a single person on the beach
-
(of a flower) having only one set or whorl of petals
-
determined; single-minded
a single devotion to duty
-
(of the eye) seeing correctly
to consider something with a single eye
-
rare honest or sincere; genuine
-
archaic (of ale, beer, etc) mild in strength
noun
-
something forming one individual unit
-
an unmarried person
-
a gramophone record, CD, or cassette with a short recording, usually of pop music, on it
-
golf a game between two players
-
cricket a hit from which one run is scored
-
-
a pound note
-
a dollar note
-
-
See single ticket
verb
-
to select from a group of people or things; distinguish by separation
he singled him out for special mention
-
(tr) to thin out (seedlings)
-
short for single-foot
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
singlesimple
-
singlessimple
-
have singledperfect
-
has singledperfect
-
am singlingprogressive
-
are singlingprogressive
-
is singlingprogressive
-
have been singlingperfect progressive
-
has been singlingperfect progressive
Past
-
singledsimple
-
had singledperfect
-
was singlingprogressive
-
were singlingprogressive
-
had been singlingperfect progressive
Future
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”); cf. simplex , simultaneous
Explanation
If something is totally alone, or consists of only one part, it's single, like a single sock in your clean laundry basket that's mysteriously lost its mate. Maybe there's a single house on a street, or a single red rose in a bouquet. People can be single too, if they aren't attached romantically to another person: "She had a terrible boyfriend, but now she's single." Single can also mean "distinct," or separate from everything else, like when you read every single word of a book to prepare for a test at school. And if you "single someone out," you place the focus on that one person.
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.
See Examples For:
The bigger problem, says Needham analyst Laura Martin, is that Netflix still makes nearly all its money from a single business that has matured.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
The co-founders, meanwhile, will hold 50.1 percent of shareholder voting power through a single special share, leaving investors who buy on the market little say over the company's direction.
From Barron's ● Nov. 2, 2026
They have not gone 10 without a win in a single campaign since 1977-78 and there is a growing feeling Carrick will lose his job during the forthcoming international break.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
I know a lot of folks who may not necessarily watch every single moment of coverage, but keep an eye on developments with the sound off, based on what’s going on with the Big Board.
From Salon ● Nov. 2, 2026
Almost with a single breath we said, “Willem.”
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
For 2026, the standard deduction is $32,200 for married joint filers and $16,100 for singles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026
She was a model and a singer, having released several singles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
Following Ortiz’s miscue, Tampa Bay collected four consecutive singles, ending with pinch hitter Ben Williamson’s walk-off chopper to score Nick Fortes from third.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
The 'Big Three' is often expanded to a 'Big Four' featuring Britain's three-time major champion Andy Murray, who soared to world number one, won two Olympic singles gold medals and lifted the ATP Finals trophy.
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026
When she’s done, Lourdes strides to the register, pulls out nine singles and a roll of pennies for the afternoon’s work, and hands it to Maribel.
From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García
It was singled out as a leading example of a "national climate fund" in a 2013 study by the United Nations Development Programme.
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026
Martinez singled out the 'technical director' for criticism in Madrid.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
“Just didn’t get the hit with guys in scoring position,” said Teoscar Hernández, who singled twice and was stranded each time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026
Days before, he delivered a characteristically crude address that singled out CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins in front of a hostile crowd, eliciting angry boos and vicious chants.
From Salon ● Oct. 6, 2026
“You are right! I know you’re right! Isn’t it so, Ancient? How else could a man become so rich in a few months’ time, unless Pharaoh had singled him out for favor?
From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Even the slumping Freddie Freeman contributed to the Dodgers’ 11-hit attack, ending an 0-for-11 slide with a broken-bat single in the fourth then singling again in the eighth.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 2026
And doing so would raise troubling questions about why President Trump is singling out Governor Cook,” Lowell wrote.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026
China says the accusations that it is singling out Panamanian ships for special attention are wrong.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
Speakers condemned extremism in all its manifestations, but they also criticised the government for a lack of support, singling out recent budget cuts for queer organisations.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
I don’t want Peeta singling himself out as a target for the Gamemakers’ anger.
From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins
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