single
HighNeutral to formal (depending on context)
Definition
Meaning
only one; individual; separate.
Used to emphasize uniqueness, exclusivity, or the absence of additional items; also refers to an unmarried person or a musical recording with one track.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Can function as adjective, noun, or verb. As adjective: emphasizes 'one and only one'. As noun: often refers to marital status or music. As verb: means 'to choose or highlight one from many'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. 'Single ticket' (UK) vs. 'one-way ticket' (US). 'Single cream' (UK) is a specific dairy product. In baseball (US), 'single' is a standard term for a one-base hit.
Connotations
In both, 'single' for marital status is neutral, though cultural attitudes may vary. In US sports contexts, more specialized meanings exist.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties in core meanings.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
single (someone/something) outsingle (something) as (something)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “single-handed(ly)”
- “in single file”
- “every single one”
- “not a single soul”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a unitary product, transaction, or point of contact (e.g., 'single invoice', 'single point of contact').
Academic
Used to denote a unique case, variable, or instance (e.g., 'a single specimen', 'single-blind study').
Everyday
Common for describing marital status, items, or actions (e.g., 'I'm single', 'a single banana').
Technical
In computing: 'single-precision'; in engineering: 'single-phase'; in music: 'a 45 rpm single'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The report singled out several key areas for improvement.
- Why was my team singled out for extra scrutiny?
American English
- The coach singled him out as the most promising player.
- Her performance was singled out for special praise.
adverb
British English
- This tool is designed to function single-handedly.
- They marched single file through the narrow path.
American English
- She managed the project single-handedly.
- Please proceed single file.
adjective
British English
- She reserved a single room at the hotel.
- There wasn't a single cloud in the sky.
American English
- He made a single comment and then left.
- Every single participant completed the survey.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a single brother.
- Can I have a single ticket to London, please?
- There is a single apple on the table.
- She raised two children as a single parent.
- The company operates from a single office.
- Not a single person answered the question correctly.
- The judge singled him out for his outstanding community service.
- The policy was criticized for focusing on a single issue.
- The data was drawn from a single source, which may limit its reliability.
- His single-minded pursuit of victory alienated his colleagues.
- The algorithm was designed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms.
- The treaty's failure hinged on a single, contentious clause.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'single ring' on a phone—it signals just one call, not multiple.
Conceptual Metaphor
SINGLE IS UNMIXED / PURE (e.g., 'single malt whiskey'), SINGLE IS ISOLATED (e.g., 'stood single against the crowd').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'single' to mean 'simple' (use 'simple'). 'Single' does not mean 'alone' in an emotional sense (use 'lonely'). Confusion with 'singular' (grammatical term).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'a single' with uncountable nouns (e.g., 'a single advice' – incorrect). Overusing 'single' for emphasis where 'only one' is more natural. 'More single' is incorrect; use 'more likely to be single'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'single' NOT typically mean 'unmarried'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Single' often emphasizes the number 'one' in contrast to 'more than one'. 'Only' can also mean 'one', but strongly implies exclusivity or limitation (e.g., 'the only one left').
No. 'Single' as an adjective describing marital status is not gradable. You cannot be 'more single'. You can say 'more likely to be single' or 'permanently single'.
Yes, commonly for a music recording (a hit single) or a one-base hit in baseball. It's less common for general objects, where 'a single one' or 'an individual item' is preferred.
It is almost always used with the preposition 'out' (to single out), meaning to choose or highlight someone/something from a group, often for special attention, praise, or criticism.
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