Single
'sɪŋ.ɡəl
Definitions
4 meaningsBeing only one; not accompanied by others; unmarried.
'sɪŋ.ɡəl
Being one only; not married or in a relationship.
He has been single for many years.
💡 Simply: Being alone, like having only one slice of pizza instead of sharing.
👶 For kids: Just one thing, like having one toy or being the only kid playing.
More Examples
She prefers to travel as a single person.
The hotel had a single room available.
How It's Used
"She is a single woman."
"A single person may qualify for a lower tax bracket."
Intended for one person or item; not shared.
'sɪŋ.ɡəl
Designed for one person or thing.
The price includes a single room.
💡 Simply: Made for just one, like a single-person bed or a single-use ticket.
👶 For kids: Only for one person, like having a single cookie all to yourself.
More Examples
I bought a single ticket to London.
She prefers a single serving of ice cream.
How It's Used
"He bought a single ticket for the train ride."
"The hotel offers single rooms."
A song released separately from an album; In baseball, a hit that allows the batter to reach first base.
'sɪŋ.ɡəl
A piece of music released separately; a baseball hit.
The band's latest single is very popular.
💡 Simply: A song you buy on its own, or a hit in baseball that gets you to first base.
👶 For kids: A song that's not on an album, or a good hit in baseball that helps your team.
More Examples
He got a single and advanced to second base.
The artist released a single before the album.
How It's Used
"Her new single topped the charts."
"He hit a single to left field."
To select or distinguish someone or something from a group; to focus on one thing.
'sɪŋ.ɡəl
To select or distinguish something from others
The teacher singled out the student for their hard work.
💡 Simply: To pick out one thing from many, like choosing your favorite toy.
👶 For kids: To pick out one thing that's special or different, like choosing your best friend.
More Examples
The police officer singled out the suspect from the crowd.
The company singled out that problem and quickly resolved it.
How It's Used
"The software can single out potential errors."
"She singled him out for his honesty."
Synonyms
Lone
Individual
Separate
Hit
Choose
Isolate
Select
Antonyms
Coupled
Married
Multiple
Plural
Double
Shared
Album
Combine
Ignore
Include
Idioms & expressions
single-minded
Having a determined and unwavering focus on one goal.
"She was single-minded in her pursuit of success."
single file
In a line, one behind the other.
"The students walked into the school single file."
From Old English *singel* (meaning 'individual, one'), related to *singan* ('to sing'). The sense evolved from 'one item' to its modern meanings.
The word 'single' has been used in English since the Old English period, initially to denote the idea of 'one' or 'unique'.
Memory tip
Think of a lone singer on stage – they're 'single'.