singly

[sing-glee]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR singly ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

apart from others; separately.

one at a time; as single units.

singlehanded; alone.

Origin of singly

First recorded in 1250–1300, singly is from the Middle English word senglely. See single, -ly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for singly

separately, severally, apart, independently, particularly, respectively

Examples from the Web for singly

Contemporary Examples of singly

They traveled in pairs or singly, and headed off to separate destinations in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Dubai's Hollywood Hitmen
James Carroll
February 19, 2010

Historical Examples of singly

Here; singly to your face, or in the presence of your nation.
The Last of the Mohicans
James Fenimore Cooper
It does not tell us singly what poetry is, but it speculates upon the cause and effect of poetry.
The Lyric
John Drinkwater
Singly, they are strong impulses; combined, their power is irresistible.
Charles O'Malley, The Irish Dragoon, Volume 2 (of 2)
Charles Lever
With the halting precision of the ignorant, she had counted them singly every day.
Tess of the Storm Country
Grace Miller White
In the mass they are appalling but singly they are surmountable.
A Daughter of the Middle Border
Hamlin Garland

British Dictionary definitions for singly

singly

adverb

one at a time; one by one

apart from others; separately; alone

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for singly

adv.

c.1300, from single (adj.) + -ly (2).