singular
adj. · n.-
1 grammar (adj.) B1 Intermediateused to describe a word that refers to only one person or thing.
relating to the grammatical category of number that refers to a single entity. It typically modifies nouns or verbs to indicate a count of one.
ExampleThe word 'child' is the singular form of 'children'.
ExampleIn English, most singular nouns require an article like 'a' or 'the' when they function as the subject of a sentence.
UsageUsually placed before the noun it modifies.
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2 extraordinary (adj.) C1 Advanced Formal Literaryvery unusual, special, or surprising.
distinguished by being exceptional, remarkable, or out of the ordinary. Often carries a formal or literary tone.
ExampleThe artist had a singular talent for capturing light in her paintings.
ExampleThe explorer showed singular courage when he decided to continue the journey alone despite the worsening weather conditions.
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3 strange (adj.) C1 Advanced Literarystrange or odd in a way that is hard to explain.
deviating from the expected or normal; peculiar or eccentric in nature.
ExampleHe had a singular habit of humming while he read the newspaper.
ExampleThe detective noticed a singular lack of footprints around the house, which suggested the intruder had been extremely careful.
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4 the singular form (n.) B1 Intermediatethe form of a word that means only one.
the grammatical form of a noun, pronoun, or verb used to refer to one person, thing, or instance.
ExampleIs the singular of 'data' actually 'datum'?
ExampleThe student struggled to remember which verbs require a change in the singular when writing in the third person.
UsageOften used with the definite article 'the'.
- singular form
From Middle English singuler, from Old French, from Latin singulāris (“alone of its kind”), from Latin singulus (“single”).
- Nounsingularity
- Adjectivesingular
- Adverbsingularly