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

When tested individually, capsaicin showed the strongest anti-inflammatory effect.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

State commissioners lack the manpower to evaluate each investment individually.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 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

While some of Salesforce’s FDEs work individually, the company has begun deploying pods consisting of a deployment strategist and two FDEs.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

The chirrup of crosswalk signals, the shrieking of sirens, the hissing of air brakes, even the hushed chatter of people strolling on the sidewalk—I heard every sound individually.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Related Words

• alone
• independently
• personally