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definitions

individuality

[in-duh-vij-oo-al-i-tee]
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noun, plural in·di·vid·u·al·i·ties.

the particular character, or aggregate of qualities, that distinguishes one person or thing from others; sole and personal nature: a person of marked individuality.
individualities, individual characteristics.
a person or thing of individual or distinctive character.
state or quality of being individual; existence as a distinct individual.
the interests of the individual as distinguished from the interests of the community.
Archaic. state or quality of being indivisible or inseparable.

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RELATED WORDS

distinctiveness, humor, idiosyncrasy, unity, originality, uniqueness, temperament, eccentricity, oneness, identity, individualism, oddity, peculiarity, manner, separateness, air, particularity, habit, character, complexion

Origin of individuality

First recorded in 1605–15; individual + -ity
Related formsnon·in·di·vid·u·al·i·ty, noun, plural non·in·di·vid·u·al·i·ties.

Synonym study

1. See character.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for individuality

Contemporary Examples of individuality

Historical Examples of individuality

  • Was she merely a creature bred of the teeming earth, or had she an individuality beyond the earth?

    Jess

    H. Rider Haggard

  • You can't imagine its individuality, its airy, unsubstantial, superior poise.

    The Pool in the Desert

    Sara Jeanette Duncan

  • The union is the closest possible without destruction of our individuality.

  • That is where individuality comes in—the "personal equation."

    Woodworking for Beginners

    Charles Gardner Wheeler

  • His speaking has always been from the fulness of his heart and with all the energy of his individuality.

    Eli and Sibyl Jones

    Rufus Matthew Jones

British Dictionary definitions for individuality

individuality

noun plural -ties

distinctive or unique character or personalitya work of great individuality
the qualities that distinguish one person or thing from another; identity
the state or quality of being a separate entity; discreteness
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
Word Origin and History for individuality
n.

"the aggregate of one's idiosyncrasies," 1610s, from individual + -ity. Meaning "fact of existing as an individual" is from 1650s.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper