individuality
Americannoun
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the particular character, or aggregate of qualities, that distinguishes one person or thing from others; sole and personal nature.
a person of marked individuality.
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individualities, individual characteristics.
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a person or thing of individual or distinctive character.
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state or quality of being individual; existence as a distinct individual.
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the interests of the individual as distinguished from the interests of the community.
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Archaic. state or quality of being indivisible or inseparable.
noun
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distinctive or unique character or personality
a work of great individuality
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the qualities that distinguish one person or thing from another; identity
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the state or quality of being a separate entity; discreteness
Synonym Usage
See character.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of individuality
First recorded in 1605–15; individual + -ity
Explanation
Whether it’s eating breakfast for lunch, learning Celtic step dancing, building birdhouses from popsicle sticks, showing off your shark tattoo, or speaking with an Australian accent on Tuesdays, all of these things can express your individuality, meaning what makes you unique. Use the noun individuality to refer to the sum total of characteristics that make up a particular individual. Individuality consists of the good, the bad — and even the crazy — that make a person distinct. The word can be describe the state or value of being unique, like the members of a group whose individuality makes for lively discussions, or a having your car painted a special color — neon green, perhaps? — to express the owner's individuality.
Vocabulary lists containing individuality
Part 1 Vocabulary (Unit 4)
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Part 1 Vocabulary (Unit 4)
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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:
But his attacking style and individuality, in a sport known for its formal attire and disciplined approach, marked him out for greatness.
From BBC ● May 5, 2026
Phrenologists divided the brain into 37 regions, each corresponding to a trait: combativeness, cautiousness, benevolence, individuality and so on.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 29, 2026
"We're seeing what's possible when individuality is embraced, not coached out," he concludes.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 8, 2026
Listeners interpret Kiedis’ lyrics in many ways, but regardless of what he intended, the song’s message circles back to nurturing and harnessing one’s individuality into a creative fuel.
From Salon ● Apr. 4, 2026
“What makes you so wonderful is your individuality, and I want you to develop it.”
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
The actors, while adopting the English accents of their characters, bring their own individualities to the roles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2025
Language can create a mood and atmosphere for your readers, helping communicate cultural and linguistic individualities.
From Textbooks ● Dec. 21, 2021
It was as if our education, instead of enhancing our individualities and imaginations, had reduced them to sameness.
From Scientific American ● Sep. 4, 2021
The individualities are what make America special, and we need to celebrate each one.
From New York Times ● Aug. 26, 2020
As they walked to the hotel this morning they had entirely rid themselves of their normal individualities.
From Gargoyles by Hecht, Ben
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.
