singleton

American  

[sing-guhl-tuhn] / ˈsɪŋ gəl tən /

noun

1. a person or thing occurring singly, especially an individual set apart from others.

2. 1. a child or animal that is the only one born at one birth.

      a research program involving twins and singletons.

   2. an only child in a family.

3. Chiefly British. an unmarried person; a single.

4. Cards. a card that is the only one of a suit in a hand.

5. Mathematics. a set consisting of one given element.

---

singleton British  

/ ˈsɪŋɡəltən /

noun

1. bridge an original holding of one card only in a suit

2. a single object, individual, etc, separated or distinguished from a pair or group

3. maths a set containing only one member

4. a person who is neither married nor in a relationship

---

Etymology

Origin of singleton

First recorded in 1875–80; single + -ton

Example Sentences

Dennis is indeed twinless — not by a twist of fate but because he came into this world a singleton and is lying.

From Los Angeles Times

According to Ofcom, singletons aged under 25 are dating online more than any other age group – so the big dating apps are also adding functionality to try to keep them interested.

From BBC

He starts the film at a speed-dating event where, in a great montage, he disappoints a procession of dewy singletons who shrivel up when this hunk comes across as cold and rude.

From Los Angeles Times

And just as in the pre-internet age, when couples might have met at a sports club or the cinema, now singletons are able to find each other in their online equivalents.

From BBC

Dating with intention and commitment was important to the singleton that I and another were tasked to manage, so we decided to get straight to big-picture goals.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• child
• entity
• human being
• man
• party
• person
• woman