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single definition

sin·gle (siŋgəl)

adjective

    1. one only; one and no more; individual
    2. separate and distinct from others of the same kind every single time
  1. without another or others; alone; solitary
  2. of or for one person, as a bed or room, or one family, as a house
  3. between two persons only; with only one on each side single combat
    1. unmarried
    2. of or characteristic of the unmarried state
  4. having only one part; not double, compound, multiple, etc.
  5. the same for all; uniform a single scale of pay
  6. being a whole, or unbroken forming a single front
  7. having only one row or set of petals: said of flowers
  8. honest; sincere
  9. seeing justly to judge with a single eye
  10. Rare unique; singular
  11. Archaic weak; inferior: said of beer, ale, etc.

Etymology: ME < OFr sengle < L singulus, single: for IE base see simple

transitive verb singled -·gled, singling -·gling

  1. to select or distinguish from others: now usually with out
  2. Baseball to advance (a runner) by hitting a single

intransitive verb

Baseball to hit a single

noun

  1. a single person or thing; specif.,
    1. a hotel room, travel space, etc. for one person
    2. unmarried people collectively
    3. Informal a one-dollar bill
    4. Informal a phonograph record, usually recorded at 45 rpm, with one short performance on each side
  2. Baseball a hit on which the batter reaches first base
  3. Cricket a hit by which one run is scored
  4. Golf a match between two players
  5. Racket Sports a match with only one player on each side

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
single Synonyms

single

modif.

  1. Unique

    sole, original, exceptional, singular, only, uncommon, without equal, unequaled, peerless, without a peer, without a rival, unrivaled; see also rare 2, unique 1, unusual 1.

    Antonyms many*, numerous*, widespread. *

  2. Individual

    particular, separate, indivisible; see individual 1, private.

  3. Unmarried

    unwed, divorced, celibate, eligible, living alone, companionless, spouseless, bachelor, maiden, unattached, free, foot-loose*, unfettered*, on the loose*, freelancing*, in the market*.

    Antonyms married*, united*, wed. *

  4. Alone

    isolated, separated, deserted; see alone 1.

  5. For the use of one person

    private, individual, restricted, secluded, personal, one's own, not public, not general, exclusive.

    Antonyms public*, common*, general.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

single Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • release: I think in the UK we have about 200 singles released in every week.

Adjective modifier

  • second: In the summer of 2001, Aaliyah filmed the video for Aaliyah's intended second single, " More than a Woman " .

Modifies a noun

  • bed: Bedroom 3 has a single bed with a pull-out bed for an extra person.

Used with adjective complement

  • hit: The album produced the hit single, " Love ' s Theme " .

Noun used with modifier

  • hit: Follow You, Follow Me in 1978 was the first of many hit singles.

Preposition: from

  • album: Other singles from the albums were Nothing's to Good For My Baby and Blowin ' in the Wind.

Preposition: for

  • label: One of her earliest singles for the label was Who's That Lady With My Man.
single usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

single quotes

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

-Austen,Jane

If I am to disclose to you what I should prefer if I follow theinclinationof mynature,it isthis: beggar-womanand single, far rather than queen and married!

-Elizabeth I

I was ever of the opinion, that the honest man who married and brought up a large family, did more service than he who continued single and only talked of population.

-Goldsmith, Oliver

single quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"single." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 3 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/single>

APA Style

single. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 3rd, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/single

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