single
SIHNGGL
Single (adj) means being just one, on its own, without anything else alongside it. Example: “A single candle lit the whole room.”
adj
1
Being just one, on its own, without anything else alongside it.
"A single candle lit the whole room."
"They asked for a single room at the hotel."
"Not a single cloud was visible in the sky all afternoon."
2
Not married and not currently in a romantic relationship.
"She has been single for the past two years."
"My brother is single and enjoys spending his weekends with friends."
"Are you single, or do you have a partner?"
noun
1
A song released on its own, separate from a full album.
"The band released a new single ahead of the album."
"Her latest single was playing on every radio station this summer."
"They played the single twice at the party."
verb
1
To choose one thing out from a group; to single out.
"The teacher singled him out for praise."
"The coach singled out two players for their hard work in training."
"Please don't single me out just because I arrived late."
How to use single
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne and only one — used for objects, people who aren't in a relationship, or standalone songs.
Common mistake
As a verb, "single out" means to select someone for special attention, usually not a compliment — don't confuse it with just "choose."
Common pairings
single room
single parent
release a single
single out
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Word forms
- Plural
- singles
- Third person singular
- singles
- Past tense
- singled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ candle lit the whole room.
Etymology
From Old French sengle/single, from Latin singulus ("one, individual") — related to simplex, the root of "simple."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for single
See all rhymes for single →Frequently asked questions
What does “single” mean?
The word “single” means being just one, on its own, without anything else alongside it. In plain terms, one and only one — used for objects, people who aren't in a relationship, or standalone songs.
How do you pronounce “single”?
“Single” is pronounced SIHNGGL (/ˈsɪŋɡəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “single” in a sentence?
Here is “single” used in a sentence: “A single candle lit the whole room.”
What part of speech is “single”?
Depending on how it is used, “single” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “single” come from?
The word “single” comes from Latin. From Old French sengle/single, from Latin singulus ("one, individual") — related to simplex, the root of "simple.".
Is “single” a common word?
“Single” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “single” have?
“Single” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: being just one, on its own, without anything else alongside it.
What is the difference between single and singular?
Single means just one, on its own: a single tree. Singular can also mean one, especially in grammar, where a singular noun refers to one thing rather than many. But singular has a second meaning — remarkable or unusual, as in 'a singular talent.' Single never carries that sense of being extraordinary.
What is the opposite of single?
When single means just one, its opposites are multiple, several, or many. In the sense of one item that could be doubled, the opposite is double. And where single describes being unmarried or unattached, the opposite is married or in a relationship. The right opposite depends on the meaning intended.
Does single always mean unmarried?
No. The core meaning of single is simply 'just one,' as in a single ticket or a single word. It only means unmarried or not in a romantic relationship when describing a person's status. Context makes it clear — 'a single room' is about quantity, while 'she is single' is about relationships.
What is an example of single?
You might ask for 'a single ticket,' meaning just one, or point to 'a single cloud in the sky.' The word stresses that there is only one of something, with nothing else alongside it. It also appears in phrases like 'every single day,' where it adds emphasis to mean each one without exception.
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