single
- 01 A2 Elementary
adj.only one; not with any others.
adj.denoting a single unit or individual; not accompanied by others.
Simple“He managed to finish the entire project in a single day.”
In context“The witness was unable to recall a single detail about the vehicle's license plate despite the bright streetlights.”
Synonyms - 02 A2 Elementary
adj.not married and not in a romantic relationship.
adj.unmarried or not involved in a committed romantic relationship.
Simple“She has been single for two years and enjoys her independence.”
In context“The tax benefits for married couples often differ significantly from those available to single taxpayers in this jurisdiction.”
- 03 A2 Elementary
adj.made for only one person to use.
adj.designed or intended for use by one person only.
Simple“I booked a single room at the hotel because I was travelling alone.”
In context“The hostel offers both dormitory-style accommodation and private single rooms for those seeking more quiet.”
Synonyms - 04 B1 Intermediate
n.someone who is not married or in a relationship.
n.an individual who is unmarried or lacks a significant other.
Simple“The cruise was specifically designed for singles looking to meet new people.”
In context“The housing development includes several smaller units aimed at young singles and retirees.”
Synonymsunmarried personAntonyms - 05 A2 Elementary
n.a popular song that is released on its own.
n.a song released individually from an album, often for promotional purposes.
Simple“The band's new single reached number one on the charts this week.”
In context“The lead single from her third studio album received critical acclaim for its innovative production and lyrical depth.”
- 06 B1 Intermediate
n.a game, like tennis, played with one person on each side.
n.a match in sports such as tennis or badminton played between two individual competitors.
Simple“She won the women's singles title after a very long match.”
In context“The tournament schedule prioritises the men's singles final, which is expected to draw the largest television audience.”
Antonyms - 07 B1 Intermediate
n.a ticket for a journey to a place, but not back again.
n.a ticket valid for travel to a destination without a return journey.
Simple“A single to London, please.”
In context“The passenger requested a single to Edinburgh, explaining that he intended to return by car with a friend.”
Synonymsone way ticketAntonymsreturnround trip - 08 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a paper bill worth one dollar.
n.a United States banknote with a face value of one dollar.
Simple“I have a few singles in my pocket for the vending machine.”
In context“The cashier asked if he could pay in smaller denominations, as the register was running low on singles.”
Synonyms - 09 C1 Advanced
v.to hit the ball and reach the first base safely.
v.to hit a single; to reach first base on a hit.
Simple“He singled to left field in the third inning.”
In context“The batter managed to single past the shortstop, driving in the winning run during the bottom of the ninth.”
- 10 C2 Proficiency
v.to remove some small plants so the others have more room to grow.
v.to thin out a row of seedlings by removing excess plants.
Simple“You need to single the beet seedlings so they can grow large.”
In context“The gardener spent the afternoon singling the carrots to ensure each root had sufficient space to develop without competition-develop without competition.”
Usage single day · single mother · single person
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.