Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Consisting of one only; individual and separate: "single" describes something that is one in number, not multiple or part of a pair or group.
   • Unmarried or not in a romantic relationship: "single" describes a person who is not married or in a committed partnership.
   • Designed for or used by one person: "single" refers to something intended for one individual's use.
   • Wholehearted or undivided: "single" can describe a focus or devotion that is concentrated and not shared.

2. Noun:

   • An unmarried person: "single" refers to an individual who is not married.
   • A one-dollar bill: (Informal, chiefly US) "single" can mean a one-dollar note.
   • A base hit in baseball allowing the batter to reach first base: In sports, a "single" is a hit in baseball where the batter safely reaches first base.
   • A phonograph record with one song on each side: (Historical) A "single" is a record containing one main track.

3. Verb:

   • To choose or distinguish from others: "Single out" means to select one person or thing from a group for special attention.
   • To hit a single in baseball: In sports, "to single" means to hit a baseball that allows the batter to reach first base.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • She lives in a single room. (She occupies a room for one person.)
  • He has been single for two years. (He has not been in a romantic relationship for two years.)
  • There wasn't a single cloud in the sky. (There was not even one cloud.)
  • She pursued her goal with single-minded determination. (She pursued it with completely focused determination.)

• Noun:

  • The apartment complex has many young singles. (It has many young, unmarried people.)
  • Can you break a twenty? I need some singles. (I need some one-dollar bills.)
  • He hit a single to right field. (He hit a baseball that allowed him to reach first base.)

• Verb:

  • The teacher singled her out for praise. (The teacher selected her specifically for praise.)
  • The batter singled in the third inning. (The batter hit a single in the third inning.)

Advanced Usage

• "single out" (phrasal verb): To select one from a group for special attention, often criticism or praise.

  • His work was singled out for its exceptional quality. (His work was specifically selected and praised.)

• "single file": A line of people or things arranged one behind another.

  • The hikers walked in single file along the narrow path. (They walked one after the other.)

• "single-handed": Done by one person alone; without help.

  • She completed the project single-handed. (She did it entirely by herself.)

Variants and Related Words

• Singleness (n): The state of being single, unmarried, or undivided.

  • Her singleness of purpose was admirable. (Her undivided focus was admirable.)

• Singly (adv): One at a time; individually.

  • The guests arrived singly. (The guests arrived one by one.)

Synonyms

• Adjective: Sole, lone, individual, solitary, unmarried, unattached.
• Verb: Choose, select, pick.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Single out: To choose or highlight one from a group.
  • They always single him out for the difficult tasks. (They always select him for the hard jobs.)

Related Idioms

• Every single one: Emphasizing every individual member of a group without exception.

  • Every single one of you must participate. (Absolutely every one of you must take part.)

• In single file: In a line, one behind the other.

  • Please line up in single file. (Please form a line one person behind the next.)

Adjective

1. 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
2. having uniform application
   • a single legal code for all
3. characteristic of or meant for a single person or thing
   • an individual serving
   • single occupancy
   • a single bed
4. not married or related to the unmarried state
   • unmarried men and women
   • unmarried life
   • sex and the single girl
   • single parenthood
   • are you married or single?
5. 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
6. 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
7. being or characteristic of a single thing or person
   • individual drops of rain
   • please mark the individual pages
   • they went their individual ways

Verb

1. hit a single
   • the batter singled to left field

Noun

1. 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
2. a base hit on which the batter stops safely at first base