ENGLISH
REFERENCE

single

n. countable
A2 Elementary Oxford US //ˈsɪŋɡəɫ// UK //sˈɪŋɡəl// sin·gle Archaic Dialect General-service Informal

n. a single song released on its own, rather than as part of a full album. You might also use this word to describe a person who is not in a romantic relationship.

n. a musical recording released individually, typically featuring one or two tracks. Also refers to an individual who is not currently married or in a committed romantic relationship.


SIMPLE

The band released their new single yesterday.

CONTEXTUAL

Her latest single reached the top of the charts just two weeks after its digital release.

COMPLEX

While the artist is known for complex concept albums, this upbeat single was designed specifically for radio play and mass-market appeal.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English single, sengle, from Old French sengle, saingle, sangle, from Latin singulus, a diminutive derived from Proto-Indo-European *sem- (“one”). Akin to Latin simplex (“simple”). See simple, and compare singular.

Usage

In a musical context, it refers to the individual track; in a social context, it often appears in the plural ('a bar for singles') to describe unattached people.

Idioms1 entry

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