single

American  

[sing-guhl] / ˈsɪŋ gəl /

adjective

1. only one in number; one only; unique; sole.

   a single example.

   Synonyms:

   particular, distinct

2. of, relating to, or suitable for one person only.

   a single room.

3. solitary or sole; lone.

   He was the single survivor.

   Synonyms:

   isolated

4. unmarried or not in a romantic relationship.

   a single man.

   Synonyms:

   unwed

5. pertaining to the unmarried state.

   the single life.

6. of or noting a parent who brings up a child or children alone, without a partner.

7. of one against one, as combat or fight.

8. consisting of only one part, element, or member.

   a single lens.

9. sincere and undivided.

   single devotion.

10. separate, particular, or distinct; individual.

    Every single one of you must do your best. It's the single most important thing.

11. uniform; applicable to all.

    a single safety code for all manufacturers.

12. (of a bed or bedclothes) twin-size.

13. (of a flower) having only one set of petals.

14. British. of standard strength or body, as ale, beer, etc.

15. (of the eye) seeing rightly.

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verb (used with object)

singled, singling

1. to pick or choose (one) from others (usually followed byout ).

   to single out a fact for special mention.

   Synonyms:

   select

2. Baseball.

   1. to cause the advance of (a base runner) by a one-base hit.

   2. to cause (a run) to be scored by a one-base hit (often followed by in orhome ).

verb (used without object)

singled, singling

1. Baseball. to hit a single.

noun

1. one person or thing; a single one.

   Synonyms:

   individual

2. an accommodation suitable for one person only, as a hotel room or a table at a restaurant.

   to reserve a single.

3. a ticket for a single seat at a theater.

4. British.

   1. a one-way ticket.

   2. a steam locomotive having one driving wheel on each side.

5. singles, people who are unmarried or not in a romantic relationship, especially if relatively young.

   It's not uncommon for singles to feel lonely on Valentine Day.

6. Also called one-base hit.  Baseball. a base hit that enables a batter to reach first base safely.

7. (used with a singular verb) singles, a match with one player on each side, as a tennis match.

8. Golf. twosome.

9. Cricket. a hit for which one run is scored.

10. Informal. a one-dollar bill.

11. Music.

    1. a phonograph record, CD, or cassette usually having two songs.

       I probably won't buy the single.

    2. one of the songs recorded on a single.

       a hit single.

    3. a song released or promoted separately from the rest of the album to which it belongs.

       A viral video put that single back on the charts.

12. Textiles. Often singles

    1. reeled or spun silk that may or may not be thrown.

    2. a one-ply yarn of any fiber that has been drawn and twisted.

single British  

/ ˈsɪŋɡəl /

adjective

1. existing alone; solitary

   upon the hill stood a single tower

2. distinct from other things; unique or individual

3. composed of one part

4. designed for one user

   a single room

   a single bed

5. (also postpositive) unmarried

6. connected with the condition of being unmarried

   he led a single life

7. (esp of combat) involving two individuals; one against one

8. sufficient for one person or thing only

   a single portion of food

9. even one

   there wasn't a single person on the beach

10. (of a flower) having only one set or whorl of petals

11. determined; single-minded

    a single devotion to duty

12. (of the eye) seeing correctly

    to consider something with a single eye

13. rare honest or sincere; genuine

14. archaic (of ale, beer, etc) mild in strength

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noun

1. something forming one individual unit

2. an unmarried person

3. a gramophone record, CD, or cassette with a short recording, usually of pop music, on it

4. golf a game between two players

5. cricket a hit from which one run is scored

6. 1. a pound note

   2. a dollar note

7. See single ticket

verb

1. to select from a group of people or things; distinguish by separation

   he singled him out for special mention

2. (tr) to thin out (seedlings)

3. short for single-foot

single Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing single

• each and every (every single)

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Other Word Forms

• quasi-single adjective
• quasi-singly adverb
• singleness noun
• unsingle adjective

Etymology

Origin of single

First recorded in 1275–1325; late Middle English (adjective), Middle English sengle, from Old French, from Latin singulus “individual, single” (usually in the plural singuli “one apiece”); simplex , simultaneous

Example Sentences

The treatment was given as a single injection through a membrane at the base of the cochlea known as the round window.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

The resulting single is playful and defiant — the perfect combination for a song of the summer.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The single best indicator of an economy entering a recession is the unemployment rate.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

And the second is a question of character: They cannot mind when he shouts at them for hours every single day.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Did a single soul care whether he lived or died?

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Related Words

• individual
• lone
• original
• particular
• personal
• private
• separate
• simple
• sole
• special
• specific