# single

/ˈsɪŋɡəɫ/ (US) · /sˈɪŋɡəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/single
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. only one

adjective · CEFR A2

only one; not with any others.

For teachers: denoting a single unit or individual; not accompanied by others.

- He managed to finish the entire project in a single day.
- The witness was unable to recall a single detail about the vehicle's license plate despite the bright streetlights.

### 2. not married

adjective · CEFR A2

not married and not in a romantic relationship.

For teachers: unmarried or not involved in a committed romantic relationship.

- She has been single for two years and enjoys her independence.
- The tax benefits for married couples often differ significantly from those available to single taxpayers in this jurisdiction.

### 3. for one person

adjective · CEFR A2

made for only one person to use.

For teachers: designed or intended for use by one person only.

- I booked a single room at the hotel because I was travelling alone.
- The hostel offers both dormitory-style accommodation and private single rooms for those seeking more quiet.

### 4. a person

noun · CEFR B1

someone who is not married or in a relationship.

For teachers: an individual who is unmarried or lacks a significant other.

- The cruise was specifically designed for singles looking to meet new people.
- The housing development includes several smaller units aimed at young singles and retirees.

### 5. music

noun · CEFR A2

a popular song that is released on its own.

For teachers: a song released individually from an album, often for promotional purposes.

- The band's new single reached number one on the charts this week.
- The lead single from her third studio album received critical acclaim for its innovative production and lyrical depth.

### 6. sports match

noun · CEFR B1

a game, like tennis, played with one person on each side.

For teachers: a match in sports such as tennis or badminton played between two individual competitors.

- She won the women's singles title after a very long match.
- The tournament schedule prioritises the men's singles final, which is expected to draw the largest television audience.

### 7. one-way ticket

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a ticket for a journey to a place, but not back again.

For teachers: a ticket valid for travel to a destination without a return journey.

- A single to London, please.
- The passenger requested a single to Edinburgh, explaining that he intended to return by car with a friend.

### 8. one dollar bill

noun · CEFR B2 · American English · Informal

a paper bill worth one dollar.

For teachers: a United States banknote with a face value of one dollar.

- I have a few singles in my pocket for the vending machine.
- The cashier asked if he could pay in smaller denominations, as the register was running low on singles.

### 9. baseball

verb · CEFR C1 · American English

to hit the ball and reach the first base safely.

For teachers: to hit a single; to reach first base on a hit.

- He singled to left field in the third inning.
- The batter managed to single past the shortstop, driving in the winning run during the bottom of the ninth.

### 10. to thin out plants

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to remove some small plants so the others have more room to grow.

For teachers: to thin out a row of seedlings by removing excess plants.

- You need to single the beet seedlings so they can grow large.
- The gardener spent the afternoon singling the carrots to ensure each root had sufficient space to develop without competition-develop without competition.

## Examples

- The band released their new single yesterday.
- Her latest single reached the top of the charts just two weeks after its digital release.
- While the artist is known for complex concept albums, this upbeat single was designed specifically for radio play and mass-market appeal.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.