singularity

American  

[sing-gyuh-lar-i-tee] / ˌsɪŋ gjəˈlær ɪ ti /

noun

singularities plural

1. the state, fact, or quality of being singular.

2. a singular, unusual, or unique quality; peculiarity.

3. Mathematics. singular point.

4. Astronomy. (in general relativity) the mathematical representation of a black hole.

5. Also called technological singularity.  Usually the singularity a hypothesized future era or event when exponential improvements in computer intelligence and advances in technology will result in an acute change in human society and evolution.

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singularity British  

/ ˌsɪŋɡjʊˈlærɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state, fact, or quality of being singular

2. something distinguishing a person or thing from others

3. something remarkable or unusual

4. maths

   1. a point at which a function is not differentiable although it is differentiable in a neighbourhood of that point See also pole 2

   2. another word for discontinuity

5. astronomy a hypothetical point in space-time at which matter is infinitely compressed to infinitesimal volume

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singularity Scientific  

/ sĭng′gyə-lăr′ĭ-tē /

1. A point of infinite density and infinitesimal volume, at which space and time become infinitely distorted according to the theory of General Relativity. According to the big bang theory, a gravitational singularity existed at the beginning of the universe. Singularities are also believed to exist at the center of black holes.

2. Mathematics A point at which the derivative does not exist for a given function but every neighborhood of which contains points for which the derivative exists.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonsingularity
  noun

Inflected Forms

noun

• singularities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of singularity

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English singularite, from Middle French singularité or Late Latin singulāritās (stem singulāritāt- ); see origin at singular, -ity

Explanation

The singularity of something is a quality that's unusual or unique. You might note the singularity of your best friend's personal style, which involves mixing plaid with polka dots and wearing colorful top hats. You can use the noun singularity when something is literally "one of a kind," like your grandmother's strange macrame wall art, or to mean exceptional or striking, like your nephew's bright red hair. He stands out among the other kindergartners, so his hair has a singularity, though he's not the only red-headed kid in the world. The Latin root is singularis, which means "single or solitary."

Example Sentences

Unlike black holes, however, they would not contain a singularity or an event horizon.

From Science Daily • Jun. 14, 2026

Extrapolating backward in time, Lemaître proposed the idea of a primeval atom: a singularity from which the universe emerged in a uniquely hot, dense state.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

Your TV and smartphone are far more interoperable and indistinguishable than ever before, and an inescapable user-tracking singularity is developing, accordingly, in your own living room.

From Slate • May 3, 2026

"We're in the singularity," said Bill Lees, head of crypto custody firm BitGo, referencing a theoretical future in which technology surpasses human intelligence.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026

I was certain that, if I popped it, the implosion would suck me, my family, and our whole house into a singularity we’d never escape.

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram

Related Words

• particularity
• uniqueness