Single Definition and Meaning
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 5, 2024
Single means one in number; not multiple or combined. e.g., She bought a single ticket for the concert.
Table of Contents
Single Definitions
Unmarried Person: An individual who is not married or in a romantic relationship.
He went to the party as a single man.
Exclusive Focus: Concentrating on one thing at a time.
His single focus on studying improved his grades.
One Item Only: Referring to one item or unit, as opposed to multiple items.
She ordered a single scoop of ice cream.
Individual Effort: An action or effort made by one person alone.
The project was completed through her single effort.
Distinct Entity: Something that is separate and distinct from others.
Each single painting in the gallery tells a different story.
Single Room: A room intended for one person's use.
He booked a single room for his business trip.
One-Way Ticket: A ticket that allows travel to a destination without return.
She purchased a single ticket to New York.
Solo Performance: A performance done by one artist alone.
The singer released her first single this year.
Isolated Incident: An event that happens once and is not part of a series.
The mistake was a single incident in an otherwise flawless record.
Unaccompanied Individual: Someone who is alone or unaccompanied by others.
She attended the event as a single attendee.
Not accompanied by another or others; solitary.
Consisting of one part, aspect, or section
A single thickness.
A single serving.
Having the same application for all; uniform
A single moral code for all.
Consisting of one in number
She had but a single thought, which was to escape.
Not divided; unbroken
A single slab of ice.
Separate from others; individual and distinct
Every single child will receive a gift.
Having individual opponents; involving two individuals only
Single combat.
Honest; undisguised
A single adoration.
Wholly attentive
You must judge the contest with a single eye.
Designed to accommodate one person or thing
A single bed.
Not married or involved in a romantic relationship
Once he knew she was single, he asked her to go out.
Relating to a state of being unmarried or uninvolved in a romantic relationship
Enjoys the single life.
(Botany) Having only one rank or row of petals
A single flower.
One that is separate and individual.
Something capable of carrying, moving, or holding one person or thing at a time, as a bed or a hotel room.
A person who is not married or involved in a romantic relationship.
Singles Such persons considered as a group
A bar for singles.
A one-dollar bill.
A phonograph record, especially a forty-five, having one song on each side.
A song on one of these sides.
A song, often from a full-length album or compact disc, that is released for airplay.
(Baseball) A hit enabling the batter to reach first base. Also called one-bagger, one-base hit.
A hit for one run in cricket.
A golf match between two players.
Often singles A tennis or badminton match between two players.
Singles A competition in which individuals compete against each other, as in rowing or figure skating.
To cause (a base runner) to score or advance by hitting a single
Singled him to second.
To cause the scoring of (a run) by hitting a single.
To hit a single.
Not accompanied by anything else; one in number.
Can you give me a single reason not to leave right now?
The vase contained a single long-stemmed rose.
Not divided in parts.
The potatoes left the spoon and landed in a single big lump on the plate.
Designed for the use of only one.
A single room
Performed by one person, or one on each side.
A single combat
Not married, and (in modern times) not dating or without a significant other.
Forms often ask if a person is single, married, divorced, or widowed. In this context, a person who is dating someone but who has never married puts "single".
Josh put down that he was a single male on the dating website.
(botany) Having only one rank or row of petals.
(obsolete) Simple and honest; sincere, without deceit.
Uncompounded; pure; unmixed.
(obsolete) Simple; foolish; weak; silly.
(music) A 45 RPM vinyl record with one song on side A and one on side B.
(music) A popular song released and sold (on any format) nominally on its own though usually having at least one extra track.
The Offspring released four singles from their most recent album.
One who is not married or does not have a romantic partner.
He went to the party, hoping to meet some friendly singles there.
(cricket) A score of one run.
(baseball) A hit in baseball where the batter advances to first base.
(dominoes) A tile that has a different value (i.e. number of pips) at each end.
A bill valued at $1.
I don't have any singles, so you'll have to make change.
(UK) A one-way ticket.
(Canadian football) A score of one point, awarded when a kicked ball is dead within the non-kicking team's end zone or has exited that end zone.
A game with one player on each side, as in tennis.
One of the reeled filaments of silk, twisted without doubling to give them firmness.
A handful of gleaned grain.
A floating-point number having half the precision of a double-precision value.
(film) A shot of only one character.
A single cigarette.
Synonym of single-driver.
To identify or select one member of a group from the others; generally used with out, either to single out or to single (something) out.
Eddie singled out his favorite marble from the bag.
Yvonne always wondered why Ernest had singled her out of the group of giggling girls she hung around with.
(baseball) To get a hit that advances the batter exactly one base.
Pedro singled in the bottom of the eighth inning, which, if converted to a run, would put the team back into contention.
(agriculture) To thin out.
(of a horse) To take the irregular gait called singlefoot.
To sequester; to withdraw; to retire.
To take alone, or one by one; to single out.
(transitive) To reduce (a railway) to single track.
One only, as distinguished from more than one; consisting of one alone; individual; separate; as, a single star.
No single man is born with a right of controlling the opinions of all the rest.
Alone; having no companion.
Who single hast maintained,Against revolted multitudes, the causeOf truth.
Hence, unmarried; as, a single man or woman.
Grows, lives, and dies in single blessedness.
Single chose to live, and shunned to wed.
Not doubled, twisted together, or combined with others; as, a single thread; a single strand of a rope.
Performed by one person, or one on each side; as, a single combat.
These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant, . . . Who now defles thee thrice ti single fight.
Uncompounded; pure; unmixed.
Simple ideas are opposed to complex, and single to compound.
Not deceitful or artful; honest; sincere.
I speak it with a single heart.
Simple; not wise; weak; silly.
He utters such single matter in so infantly a voice.
To select, as an individual person or thing, from among a number; to choose out from others; to separate.
Dogs who hereby can single out their master in the dark.
His blood! she faintly screamed her mindStill singling one from all mankind.
To sequester; to withdraw; to retire.
An agent singling itself from consorts.
To take alone, or one by one.
Men . . . commendable when they are singled.
To take the irrregular gait called single-foot; - said of a horse. See Single-foot.
Many very fleet horses, when overdriven, adopt a disagreeable gait, which seems to be a cross between a pace and a trot, in which the two legs of one side are raised almost but not quite, simultaneously. Such horses are said to single, or to be single-footed.
A unit; one; as, to score a single.
The reeled filaments of silk, twisted without doubling to give them firmness.
A handful of gleaned grain.
A game with but one player on each side; - usually in the plural.
A hit by a batter which enables him to reach first base only.
A base hit on which the batter stops safely at first base
The smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number;
He has the one but will need a two and three to go with it
They had lunch at one
Hit a one-base hit
Existing alone or consisting of one entity or part or aspect or individual;
Upon the hill stood a single tower
Had but a single thought which was to escape
A single survivor
A single serving
A single lens
A single thickness
Used of flowers having usually only one row or whorl of petals;
Single chrysanthemums resemble daisies and may have more than one row of petals
Characteristic of or meant for a single person or thing;
An individual serving
Separate rooms
Single occupancy
A single bed
Having uniform application;
A single legal code for all
Not divided among or brought to bear on more than one object or objective;
Judging a contest with a single eye
A single devotion to duty
Undivided affection
Gained their exclusive attention
Involved two individuals;
Single combat
Individual and distinct;
Pegged down each separate branch to the earth
A gift for every single child
Single Snonyms
Solitary
Done or existing alone.
He took a solitary walk through the woods.
Sole
Being the only one; only.
She was the sole survivor of the crash.
Lone
Without companions; solitary.
A lone tree stood at the top of the hill.
Individual
Pertaining to or characteristic of a single person or thing.
Each individual vote contributes to the outcome.
Exclusive
Excluding or not admitting other things.
Membership is exclusive to company employees.
Isolated
Far away from other places, buildings, or people; remote.
The cabin is located in an isolated area.
Unique
Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else.
The artist has a unique style of painting.
Unmarried
Not married.
Most of the participants were unmarried.
Separate
Forming or viewed as a unit apart or by itself.
This issue is separate from the main discussion.
Distinct
Recognizably different in nature from something else of a similar type.
The two concepts are distinct from each other.
Single Idioms & Phrases
Not miss a single beat
To continue smoothly without interruption or mistake.
Despite the distraction, the musician didn't miss a single beat.
Not a single soul
Not a single person present or in existence in a given context.
There wasn't a single soul at the park due to the rain.
In a single breath
Quickly and without pause.
She listed her grievances in a single breath, leaving everyone stunned.
Single-handedly
Done by one person without assistance.
She single-handedly organized the entire charity event.
Hang by a single thread
To be in a very precarious or vulnerable situation.
His career hangs by a single thread after the scandal.
Single out for praise
To choose one person or thing from a group to commend.
The coach singled out the most improved player for praise.
Turn on a single dime
To change direction or decision quickly and completely.
The company's strategy can turn on a single dime if the market shifts.
A single piece of the puzzle
An individual element of a larger situation or problem.
This clue is just a single piece of the puzzle in solving the mystery.
A single thread of hope
A very slim chance or small amount of hope.
Clinging to a single thread of hope, they continued their search.
Single-minded determination
Focused and unwavering resolve.
With single-minded determination, she overcame every obstacle.
Every single time
Without fail, happening on every occasion.
Every single time I plan an outdoor event, it seems to rain.
A single drop in the ocean
A very small amount compared to what is needed or expected.
My donation feels like a single drop in the ocean, but every bit helps.
Not give a single inch
To not yield or compromise at all.
In the negotiations, he was tough and did not give a single inch.
At a single stroke
With one action or effort; all at once.
The new policy eradicated the issue at a single stroke.
Without a single doubt
With complete certainty; without any hesitation.
She knew without a single doubt that she had made the right decision.
With a single voice
Unanimously or in complete agreement.
The community spoke with a single voice, demanding change.
Stand out in a single glance
To be immediately noticeable or distinctive.
Her talent makes her stand out in a single glance during auditions.
A single stroke of genius
A brilliant and unique idea or action.
The invention was a single stroke of genius that changed technology forever.
A single ray of sunshine
A small or solitary source of happiness or hope.
In difficult times, her kindness was a single ray of sunshine.
A single step journey
The beginning of a long process or journey.
Learning to trust again is a single step journey that takes time.
Single Example Sentences
Every single day, he walks his dog in the park.
He aimed to win every single match this season.
Not a single drop of rain fell during the drought.
She found a single leaf in the pool.
A single candle lit the entire room.
She felt proud of her single status and independence.
A single moment changed the course of the game.
A single decision can have big consequences.
A single word from her could brighten his day.
Not a single person knew the answer to the question.
The teacher addressed every single concern raised by the parents.
Every single piece of artwork was carefully examined.
Every single student passed the exam.
She cherished every single gift she received.
He solved the puzzle with a single glance.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called single?
It's called "single" to denote one only, individual, or unaccompanied by others, originating from the Latin "singulus," meaning "one, one to each, individual."
How do we divide single into syllables?
"Single" is divided into syllables as "sin-gle."
How many syllables are in single?
There are two syllables in "single."
How is single used in a sentence?
She bought a single ticket for the concert.
What is the pronunciation of single?
"Single" is pronounced as /ˈsɪŋɡəl/ in American English.
What is the first form of single?
The first form (base form) of "single" as a verb is "single."
What is a stressed syllable in single?
The stressed syllable in "single" is the first syllable, "sin."
What is the root word of single?
The root word of "single" is the Latin "singulus," which means "one, one to each, individual."
What is another term for single?
Another term for "single" could be "individual" or "sole."
What is the verb form of single?
The verb form of "single" is also "single," as in "to single out" meaning to choose or distinguish from others.
Is single an adverb?
No, "single" is not an adverb.
Is single an abstract noun?
As a noun, "single" is not typically abstract since it often refers to tangible items, like a single unit or a single person.
What is the third form of single?
The third form (past participle) of "single" as a verb is "singled."
Is single a noun or adjective?
"Single" can be both a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.
Is single a collective noun?
No, "single" is not a collective noun.
Is the word “single” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Single" can serve as a direct object in a sentence, like "She prefers a single."
What part of speech is single?
"Single" can function as an adjective, noun, and verb depending on the context.
What is the singular form of single?
The singular form is "single."
What is the plural form of single?
As an adjective or verb, "single" does not have a plural form. As a noun, it can be "singles."
Is single a negative or positive word?
"Single" is neutral; its connotation depends on the context.
Is the word single Gerund?
The gerund form of "single" as a verb would be "singling."
Which determiner is used with single?
Determiners such as "a," "the," "this," "that," "every" can be used with "single," depending on the context.
Which vowel is used before single?
The vowel used before "single" depends on the preceding word and its grammatical structure, not on "single" itself.
Is single a vowel or consonant?
The word "single" starts with a consonant sound, "s."
Which article is used with single?
Both the definite article "the" and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" can be used with "single," depending on whether it refers to a specific instance or any instance in general.
What is the second form of single?
The second form (simple past) of "single" as a verb is "singled."
What is the opposite of single?
The opposite of "single" could be "married" for relationship status, or "multiple" for quantity.
Is single a countable noun?
As a noun, "single" can be countable, as in "a single" or "singles."
Is the single term a metaphor?
"Single" can be used metaphorically to describe something unique or distinct in various contexts.
Is the word single imperative?
"Single" can be used in an imperative form when used as a verb, as in "Single him out from the crowd."
Which preposition is used with single?
Prepositions such as "in," "of," and "from" can be used with "single," depending on the context, e.g., "a single in a pack," "the single of the year."
Which conjunction is used with single?
Conjunctions such as "and," "but," or "or" can be used with "single" depending on the sentence structure.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Term
Usually Definition and Meaning
Next Term
Strengthen Definition and MeaningAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
