singular

11 synonyms and 1 antonym for singular, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Remarkably unusual or exceptional; standing out from the ordinary.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

extraordinary remarkable unique funny odd curious

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

exceptional peculiar rum queer

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

rummy

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Remarkably unusual or exceptional; standing out from the ordinary.

“She showed singular courage during the crisis.”

extraordinary exceptional remarkable unique peculiar rum funny rummy odd curious queer

Opposites

plural

2. noun

The grammatical form of a word used to refer to just one person or thing.

“"Mouse" is the singular; "mice" is the plural.”

Opposites

plural

How to use singular

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

singular achievement singular noun singular honour

Etymology

From Latin singulāris ("alone of its kind"), from singulus ("single").

Full origin of singular →

Frequently asked questions

What does “singular” mean?

The word “singular” means remarkably unusual or exceptional; standing out from the ordinary. In plain terms, either "referring to just one" (grammar) or "remarkably unique" (everyday use).

How do you pronounce “singular”?

“Singular” is pronounced SIHNG-gyuu-luh (/ˈsɪŋ.ɡjə.lɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “singular” in a sentence?

Here is “singular” used in a sentence: “She showed singular courage during the crisis.”

What part of speech is “singular”?

Depending on how it is used, “singular” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “singular” come from?

The word “singular” comes from Latin. From Latin singulāris ("alone of its kind"), from singulus ("single").

Is “singular” a common word?

“Singular” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “singular” have?

“Singular” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: remarkably unusual or exceptional; standing out from the ordinary.

What is the difference between 'singular' and 'plural' in grammar?

'Singular' refers to the grammatical form of a word used for exactly one person or thing, such as 'cat' or 'child.' 'Plural' refers to the form used for more than one, such as 'cats' or 'children.'

What is the difference between 'singular' and 'unique'?

In its non-grammatical sense, 'singular' means remarkably unusual or exceptional, standing out from the ordinary, often with a slightly formal or literary tone. 'Unique' more strictly means being the only one of its kind, without necessarily implying it is impressive.

When is 'singular' used outside of grammar?

Outside grammar, 'singular' is used as an adjective to describe something remarkably distinctive or exceptional, as in 'a singular achievement.' This usage is more common in formal or literary writing than in everyday speech.

People also searched

funny unique curious extraordinary odd remarkable exceptional peculiar rum queer plural rummy

Nearby words

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