Divorced vs. Single — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 29, 2024
Divorced refers to someone legally dissolved from marriage, highlighting past commitment, whereas single describes a person not currently married or in a romantic partnership.
Difference Between Divorced and Single
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Divorced indicates a person has been legally separated from their spouse through the court, marking an end to their marriage. This status reflects a significant life event and often involves legal, emotional, and financial changes. On the other hand, single encompasses a broader category, including those who have never been married, those who are divorced, and even those who are widowed. It simply signifies that a person is not currently in a legal marital relationship, without specifying their past marital history.
Divorce is a legal process that formally ends a marriage, allowing both individuals to legally marry someone else in the future. It often involves legal proceedings, including division of assets, custody arrangements if children are involved, and potential alimony or child support agreements. Whereas being single does not involve any legal processes or implications regarding one's relationship status. It is a more general term that does not reflect on the person's past relationships or legal commitments.
Being divorced can have specific social, financial, and legal implications, such as changes in taxation, eligibility for certain benefits, and potential social stigma or emotional challenges associated with ending a marriage. In contrast, being single carries a wide range of social perceptions, from independence and freedom to loneliness, depending on cultural, personal, and social contexts. The term single doesn’t inherently carry the legal and emotional baggage that divorced does.
Divorced individuals may experience a transition phase where they adjust to being single again, navigating changes in their social circles, living arrangements, and personal identity. This transition can involve redefining personal goals and values. Single individuals, especially those who have never married, may not experience this type of transition but might face different societal pressures or expectations regarding finding a partner and settling down.
In some cultures and communities, being divorced carries a stigma or is viewed differently than being single, which can affect one's social interactions and relationships. Single status, especially if never married, might be perceived more neutrally, although this varies widely based on cultural norms and individual circumstances.
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Comparison Chart
Legal Status
Legally dissolved from marriage
Not married
Past Marital History
Indicates a previous marriage
No implication of past marital status
Legal Implications
Involves legal proceedings (e.g., asset division)
No legal proceedings related to marital status
Social Perception
May carry stigma or imply transition
Neutral or varies, less likely to imply past relationships
Financial and Social Implications
Potential changes in finances, social circles
Broad, varies greatly with individual circumstances
Compare with Definitions
Divorced
Often involves legal, financial, and emotional adjustments.
The divorced man had to navigate custody arrangements.
Single
Encompasses those never married, divorced, or widowed.
She attended the event single, ready to meet new people.
Divorced
A status signifying legal dissolution of marriage.
After the court proceedings, she updated her marital status to divorced.
Single
Describes a person not currently married or in a romantic partnership.
He enjoyed the flexibility of being single.
Divorced
Reflects a change from being married to single.
She found her independence again after becoming divorced.
Single
Varies in social perception based on cultural norms.
In her community, being single was seen as an opportunity to explore.
Divorced
Can impact social and personal identity.
As a newly divorced individual, she explored new hobbies and interests.
Single
Implies independence and self-sufficiency.
Living single, she focused on her career and personal growth.
Divorced
Indicates a person who has undergone the legal end of a marriage.
Being divorced, he was familiar with the challenges of starting over.
Single
Can signify freedom from marital obligations.
Traveling as a single person offered him unparalleled freedom.
Divorced
The legal dissolution of a marriage.
Single
Only one; not one of several
The kingdom was ruled over by a single family
A single red rose
Divorced
A court order or other document establishing such a dissolution.
Single
Consisting of one part
The studio was a single large room
Divorced
A separation between things that were once connected or associated.
Single
Free from duplicity or deceit; ingenuous
A pure and single heart
Divorced
To dissolve the marriage bond between (two people).
Single
An individual person or thing rather than part of a pair or a group.
Divorced
To end marriage with (one's spouse) by way of legal divorce.
Single
A hit for one run.
Divorced
To cut off; separate or disunite
An idea that was completely divorced from reality.
Single
(especially in tennis and badminton) a game or competition for individual players, not pairs or teams.
Divorced
To obtain a divorce.
Single
A system of change-ringing in which one pair of bells changes places at each round.
Divorced
Cut off, or separated.
Single
Choose someone or something from a group for special treatment
One newspaper was singled out for criticism
Divorced
(of a marriage) Legally dissolved.
It is a sad fact that 43% of marriages are now divorced.
Single
Thin out (seedlings or saplings)
Hand hoes are used for singling roots
Divorced
(of persons formerly married) Having had one's marriage legally dissolved.
Mark's parents are divorced.
Single
Reduce (a railway track) to a single line
The South Western line was singled west of Salisbury
Divorced
Simple past tense and past participle of divorce
Single
Hit a single
Cohen singled to centre
Divorced
Having a marriage legally terminated and having not remarried.
Single
Not accompanied by another or others; solitary.
Divorced
Of someone whose marriage has been legally dissolved
Single
Consisting of one part, aspect, or section
A single thickness.
A single serving.
Single
Having the same application for all; uniform
A single moral code for all.
Single
Consisting of one in number
She had but a single thought, which was to escape.
Single
Not divided; unbroken
A single slab of ice.
Single
Separate from others; individual and distinct
Every single child will receive a gift.
Single
Having individual opponents; involving two individuals only
Single combat.
Single
Honest; undisguised
A single adoration.
Single
Wholly attentive
You must judge the contest with a single eye.
Single
Designed to accommodate one person or thing
A single bed.
Single
Not married or involved in a romantic relationship
Once he knew she was single, he asked her to go out.
Single
Relating to a state of being unmarried or uninvolved in a romantic relationship
Enjoys the single life.
Single
(Botany) Having only one rank or row of petals
A single flower.
Single
One that is separate and individual.
Single
Something capable of carrying, moving, or holding one person or thing at a time, as a bed or a hotel room.
Single
A person who is not married or involved in a romantic relationship.
Single
Singles Such persons considered as a group
A bar for singles.
Single
A one-dollar bill.
Single
A phonograph record, especially a forty-five, having one song on each side.
Single
A song on one of these sides.
Single
A song, often from a full-length album or compact disc, that is released for airplay.
Single
(Baseball) A hit enabling the batter to reach first base. Also called one-bagger, one-base hit.
Single
A hit for one run in cricket.
Single
A golf match between two players.
Single
Often singles A tennis or badminton match between two players.
Single
Singles A competition in which individuals compete against each other, as in rowing or figure skating.
Single
To cause (a base runner) to score or advance by hitting a single
Singled him to second.
Single
To cause the scoring of (a run) by hitting a single.
Single
To hit a single.
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.
Single
Not divided in parts.
The potatoes left the spoon and landed in a single big lump on the plate.
Single
Designed for the use of only one.
A single room
Single
Performed by one person, or one on each side.
A single combat
Single
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.
Single
(botany) Having only one rank or row of petals.
Single
(obsolete) Simple and honest; sincere, without deceit.
Single
Uncompounded; pure; unmixed.
Single
(obsolete) Simple; foolish; weak; silly.
Single
(music) A 45 RPM vinyl record with one song on side A and one on side B.
Single
(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.
Single
One who is not married or does not have a romantic partner.
He went to the party, hoping to meet some friendly singles there.
Single
(cricket) A score of one run.
Single
(baseball) A hit in baseball where the batter advances to first base.
Single
(dominoes) A tile that has a different value (i.e. number of pips) at each end.
Single
A bill valued at $1.
I don't have any singles, so you'll have to make change.
Single
(UK) A one-way ticket.
Single
A game with one player on each side, as in tennis.
Single
One of the reeled filaments of silk, twisted without doubling to give them firmness.
Single
A handful of gleaned grain.
Single
A floating-point number having half the precision of a double-precision value.
Single
(film) A shot of only one character.
Single
A single cigarette.
Single
Synonym of single-driver.
Single
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.
Single
(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.
Single
(agriculture) To thin out.
Single
(of a horse) To take the irregular gait called singlefoot.
Single
To sequester; to withdraw; to retire.
Single
To take alone, or one by one; to single out.
Single
(transitive) To reduce (a railway) to single track.
Single
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.
Single
Alone; having no companion.
Who single hast maintained,Against revolted multitudes, the causeOf truth.
Single
Hence, unmarried; as, a single man or woman.
Grows, lives, and dies in single blessedness.
Single chose to live, and shunned to wed.
Single
Not doubled, twisted together, or combined with others; as, a single thread; a single strand of a rope.
Single
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.
Single
Uncompounded; pure; unmixed.
Simple ideas are opposed to complex, and single to compound.
Single
Not deceitful or artful; honest; sincere.
I speak it with a single heart.
Single
Simple; not wise; weak; silly.
He utters such single matter in so infantly a voice.
Single
To sequester; to withdraw; to retire.
An agent singling itself from consorts.
Single
To take alone, or one by one.
Men . . . commendable when they are singled.
Single
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.
Single
A unit; one; as, to score a single.
Single
The reeled filaments of silk, twisted without doubling to give them firmness.
Single
A handful of gleaned grain.
Single
A game with but one player on each side; - usually in the plural.
Single
A hit by a batter which enables him to reach first base only.
Single
A base hit on which the batter stops safely at first base
Single
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
Single
Hit a one-base hit
Single
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
Single
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
Single
Characteristic of or meant for a single person or thing;
An individual serving
Separate rooms
Single occupancy
A single bed
Single
Having uniform application;
A single legal code for all
Single
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
Single
Involved two individuals;
Single combat
Single
Individual and distinct;
Pegged down each separate branch to the earth
A gift for every single child
Common Curiosities
Do divorced people face different challenges than those who have always been single?
Yes, divorced individuals may face unique legal, financial, and emotional challenges related to the dissolution of their marriage.
How does society view single vs. divorced individuals?
Societal views vary, but divorced individuals may face perceptions related to their past marriage, while singles face varied expectations about marriage and relationships.
Can a divorced person be considered single?
Yes, once the divorce is finalized, a person is legally considered single.
How do children impact the experience of being single or divorced?
Children can significantly affect the experience, with divorced individuals potentially navigating co-parenting, while single individuals’ experiences vary widely based on whether they have children.
Is it easier to date as a single or divorced person?
The ease of dating can vary based on individual experiences, societal perceptions, and personal circumstances.
Can being single have legal implications?
Being single primarily affects personal status and does not involve legal proceedings, unlike divorce.
Is there a stigma associated with being divorced or single?
The stigma varies by culture and individual experience, with some facing more judgment for being divorced and others for being single.
Is being single the same as being unmarried?
Yes, being single means not being currently married, which includes those who are unmarried for any reason.
Can someone be single and not interested in relationships?
Yes, being single includes a range of experiences, including those who choose not to pursue romantic relationships.
How does being divorced affect one's social life compared to being single?
Divorced individuals may navigate changes in social circles and relationships, while singles may face different social expectations.
Are there financial benefits to being single or divorced?
The financial impact varies greatly; some may find financial independence, while others may face challenges, especially after divorce.
Do single people have more freedom than divorced people?
Freedom is subjective and can vary based on individual circumstances; however, single people may face fewer legal and financial ties to past relationships.
Can being divorced lead to personal growth?
Many divorced individuals report personal growth and self-discovery through the process of ending a marriage and starting anew.
How does one's identity change when moving from being married to single or divorced?
Transitioning from married to single or divorced can involve significant shifts in personal identity, self-perception, and social roles.
Are there support groups for single and divorced individuals?
Yes, there are many support groups and communities for both single and divorced individuals to share experiences and advice.
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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.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
