Word
singular
Phoneticssin·gu·lar, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsɪŋɡjəɫɝ/
UK/sˈɪŋɡjʊlɐ/
Definitions
01grammar
B1 · Intermediate
adj. used to describe a word that refers to only one person or thing.
adj. 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.
“The word 'child' is the singular form of 'children'.”
“In English, most singular nouns require an article like 'a' or 'the' when they function as the subject of a sentence.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it modifies.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02extraordinary
C1 · Advanced Formal · Literary
adj. very unusual, special, or surprising.
adj. distinguished by being exceptional, remarkable, or out of the ordinary. Often carries a formal or literary tone.
“The artist had a singular talent for capturing light in her paintings.”
“The explorer showed singular courage when he decided to continue the journey alone despite the worsening weather conditions.”
Synonyms
03strange
C1 · Advanced Literary
adj. strange or odd in a way that is hard to explain.
adj. deviating from the expected or normal; peculiar or eccentric in nature.
“He had a singular habit of humming while he read the newspaper.”
“The detective noticed a singular lack of footprints around the house, which suggested the intruder had been extremely careful.”
04the singular form
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the form of a word that means only one.
n. the grammatical form of a noun, pronoun, or verb used to refer to one person, thing, or instance.
Español:singular
“Is the singular of 'data' actually 'datum'?”
“The student struggled to remember which verbs require a change in the singular when writing in the third person.”
Usage
Often used with the definite article 'the'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English singuler, from Old French, from Latin singulāris (“alone of its kind”), from Latin singulus (“single”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/singular
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0