Individual
/ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsA single human being or thing, considered apart from others of its kind.
/ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəl/
A single human being, as distinct from a group or class.
Every individual has unique strengths.
💡 Simply: Imagine a classroom with lots of kids. Each kid is an individual, because they are all different and special in their own way, like you!
👶 For kids: One person. Like you!
More Examples
The company valued the contributions of each individual employee.
The census counts the number of individuals living in the country.
How It's Used
"Each individual in the survey was asked for their opinion."
"The study focused on the individual's role in society."
Existing as a separate entity; single; particular.
/ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəl/
Relating to a single person or thing; separate and distinct.
The teacher gave individual attention to each student.
💡 Simply: Imagine a pizza cut into slices. Each slice is an individual piece, because it's separate from the others. Individual means one and only one.
👶 For kids: Just one! Not with anyone else.
More Examples
The project required individual research.
We each have individual tastes in food.
How It's Used
"The company offers individual retirement plans."
"The therapist provided individual counseling."
Idioms & expressions
individual attention
Focused care or assistance given to a single person.
"The tutor provided individual attention to help the student improve their grades."
individual responsibility
The duty or obligation of a single person.
"Each citizen has an individual responsibility to vote."
From Latin *individuus* ('indivisible'), from *in-* ('not') + *dividuus* ('divisible'), from *dividere* ('to divide'). The word entered English in the 16th century.
The word 'individual' began to gain prominence in the 17th and 18th centuries, coinciding with the Enlightenment's emphasis on individual rights and freedoms.
Memory tip
Think of an 'in-dividual' being 'in-divided' – separate and unique.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: individuus