single-space: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2formal, technical, academic
Quick answer
What does “single-space” mean?
To type or format text without leaving a blank line between lines of text.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To type or format text without leaving a blank line between lines of text; using one press of the spacebar.
In typography and word processing, it refers to text formatted with the standard line spacing of one, as opposed to double-spacing (leaving a blank line between lines). It can also mean to insert a single space character between words or elements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties, though British English may be slightly more likely to use the hyphenated form 'single-space' as a verb, whereas American English might occasionally use it unhyphenated ('single space'). The concept and instruction are standard.
Connotations
Neutral and technical. Carries connotations of formatting rules, academic submission guidelines, and document preparation.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in academic, administrative, and office contexts. Rare in everyday casual conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “single-space” in a Sentence
[user] single-spaces [text/document][document] is single-spacedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “single-space” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- You must single-space your CV before emailing it.
- The secretary single-spaced the minutes for the meeting.
American English
- Single-space your essay but use a 12-point font.
- I need to single-space this contract to save paper.
adverb
British English
- The text was typed single-spaced. (less common, often rephrased)
- The document is formatted single-spaced throughout.
American English
- Please type the list single-spaced. (less common)
- The letter was written single-spaced to conserve space.
adjective
British English
- Submit a single-spaced summary of no more than one page.
- The single-spaced manuscript was difficult to proofread.
American English
- The report must be in single-spaced format.
- Her single-spaced notes were incredibly dense.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"Please single-space the business proposal, but leave extra space between paragraphs."
Academic
"The dissertation abstract must be single-spaced and should not exceed 300 words."
Everyday
"Could you single-space that list so it fits on one page?"
Technical
"In LaTeX, use the 'setspace' package with the 'singlespacing' environment to single-space your document."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “single-space”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “single-space”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “single-space”
- Using 'single-space' as a noun exclusively (e.g., 'Use a single-space') instead of a verb or adjective.
- Confusing 'single-space' (line spacing) with using one space after a period (a different typographic rule).
- Misspelling as 'single space' (without hyphen) when used as a compound modifier before a noun (e.g., 'a single-space document' is correct, 'a single space document' is less standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly used as a verb (e.g., 'Single-space your paper') or as a hyphenated adjective before a noun (e.g., 'a single-spaced document'). Using it as an adjective after a verb (e.g., 'The document is single-spaced') is also correct but slightly less frequent in direct instructions.
Single-spacing means lines of text follow immediately one after the other with no blank line in between (line spacing = 1). Double-spacing inserts a full blank line between each line of text (line spacing = 2), commonly used for draft manuscripts to allow room for editor's or teacher's comments.
Select the text, go to the 'Home' tab, find the 'Paragraph' group, click the 'Line and Paragraph Spacing' icon (lines with up/down arrows), and select '1.0' from the dropdown menu. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + 1 (Cmd + 1 on Mac).
This is a separate typographic rule. Modern style guides (for both British and American English) recommend using only one space after a period, question mark, or exclamation point. The 'single-space' command refers to line spacing, not spacing between sentences.
To type or format text without leaving a blank line between lines of text.
Single-space is usually formal, technical, academic in register.
Single-space: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɪŋ.ɡəl ˈspeɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɪŋ.ɡəl ˈspeɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SINGLE person occupying a SPACE. Just one, not two (double). One press of the spacebar between words, one line height between lines.
Conceptual Metaphor
FORMATTING IS SPATIAL ORGANIZATION. Text is arranged in a one-dimensional space.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of the verb 'to single-space'?