singleton

[sing-guhl-tuhn]

noun

1. a person or thing occurring singly, especially an individual set apart from others.

2. 1. a child or animal that is the only one born at one birth.

      a research program involving twins and singletons.

   2. an only child in a family.

3. Chiefly British.,  an unmarried person; a single.

4. Cards.,  a card that is the only one of a suit in a hand.

5. Mathematics.,  a set consisting of one given element.

singleton

/ ˈsɪŋɡəltən /

noun

1. bridge an original holding of one card only in a suit

2. a single object, individual, etc, separated or distinguished from a pair or group

3. maths a set containing only one member

4. a person who is neither married nor in a relationship

Word History and Origins

Origin of singleton¹

First recorded in 1875–80; single + -ton

Word History and Origins

Origin of singleton¹

C19: from _single , on the model of _simpleton

Example Sentences

Dennis is indeed twinless — not by a twist of fate but because he came into this world a singleton and is lying.

From Los Angeles Times

According to Ofcom, singletons aged under 25 are dating online more than any other age group – so the big dating apps are also adding functionality to try to keep them interested.

From BBC

He starts the film at a speed-dating event where, in a great montage, he disappoints a procession of dewy singletons who shrivel up when this hunk comes across as cold and rude.

From Los Angeles Times

She’s the only singleton of the three of them, and what happens in Thailand stays in Thailand.

From Salon

And just as in the pre-internet age, when couples might have met at a sports club or the cinema, now singletons are able to find each other in their online equivalents.

From BBC

Related Words

• child 
• entity 
• human being 
• man 
• party 
• person 
• woman