Word Adverb
singly
adv.
manner
C2 Proficiency US /ˈsɪŋɡɫi/ UK /sˈɪŋɡli/ singly
Definition
adv.in a way that is lonely or alone. This is an old-fashioned word that people rarely use today.
adv.in a solitary or lonely manner.
Examples
“He lived singly in a small cottage on the edge of the woods.”
“The old man chose to live singly, avoiding the noise and crowds of the city for the quiet of the countryside.”
“In the final chapter of the memoir, the author reflects on how he lived singly for many years, finding a strange comfort in the absence of others.”
Real-world usage
“Singly and together, these risks create a distinct category of challenge for this type of Main Street business.”
Etymology
From Middle English senglely. Equivalent to single + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Origin Middle English senglely
Level C2 · Proficiency
Frequency Occasional
Updated