individually
Americanadverb
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one at a time; separately.
The delegates were introduced individually.
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personally.
Each of us is individually responsible.
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in an individual or personally unique manner.
Her interpretation was individually conceived.
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Individually, each detector only captures part of the picture.
From Science Daily • May 26, 2026
Individually, there’s much daring good work from the actors.
From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026
Individually they were also under-powered, low on energy and coughing up basic errors.
From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026
Individually, creative professionals are unlikely to stop the AI engine that is creating advertising wealth.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025
Individually and together, they confounded relatives, friends, strangers, and some of the most prominent scientists, politicians, and writers of their time.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
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.
