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

Nouns

• 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

See Examples For:

singularity singularities

Insisting on both the singularity of Gaudí’s vision and the glories of artistic collaboration, the Sagrada Família woos believer and nonbeliever alike.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Haaland’s singularity was a testament to how humanity seeks heroes — but Spain’s ultimate triumph via crisp passes and selfless teamwork offered a stirring, convincing collective counterpoint.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

But such heavy commercial appeal erodes all that singularity, leaving queer people to fend for themselves in defining and celebrating their identities, apart from the pinkwashing.

From Salon ● Jun. 18, 2026

Their measurements clearly showed the predicted power-law growth close to the singularity as well as the exponential decay farther away.

From Science Daily ● May 21, 2026

Perhaps, of all the models that were roughly like the real universe, only Friedmann’s would contain a big bang singularity.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking

Millions of readers bought Hawking’s 1988 book, “A Brief History of Time,” eager to learn from the brilliant physicist, who had first gained prominence studying singularities and black holes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026

These singularities are defined by their gravitational pull, which is so incredibly strong that nothing — not even light — can escape.

From Salon ● Jan. 13, 2023

In fact, a new conception of pop artists as do-it-all vertically integrated singularities redefined pop artistry, thanks in large part to the Beatles having changed the rules.

From New York Times ● Nov. 6, 2021

But what if these singularities could show up outside—on their own?

From Scientific American ● Aug. 23, 2021

As we have seen, this can produce some remarkable consequences, such as black holes not being black, and the universe not having any singularities but being completely self-contained and without a boundary.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking

Related Words

• particularity
• uniqueness