# singles

/ˈsɪŋɡəɫz/ (US) · /sˈɪŋɡəlz/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. unmarried people

noun · CEFR B1

people who are not married or do not have a romantic partner.

For teachers: individuals who are unmarried or not currently in a committed romantic relationship.

- The hotel is hosting a special dinner for singles on Valentine's Day.
- The cruise line offers specific social mixers designed for singles who wish to meet other solo travellers during the voyage.

### 2. one-on-one sports

noun · CEFR B1

a game or match played between two individual players rather than teams.

For teachers: a format of play in sports such as tennis or badminton involving exactly one player on each side.

- She won the women's singles title after a very long final match.
- While he excels in doubles due to his net play, his performance in the men's singles has been inconsistent this season.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the category of play, or plural when referring to multiple matches.

### 3. individual items

noun · CEFR B1

more than one individual thing, such as music records with only one main song.

For teachers: the plural form of 'single', referring to individual units, specifically music recordings featuring one or two tracks.

- The band released three singles before their full album finally came out.
- Digital platforms have changed how artists profit from singles compared to the era of physical vinyl sales.

## Examples

- She won the women's singles title this year.
- After years of playing doubles with his brother, he decided to focus on his career in singles.
- The tournament schedule prioritises the men's and women's singles finals, as these matches typically draw the largest television audiences and highest ticket prices.

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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.