singledom: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, journalistic, lifestyle writing
Quick answer
What does “singledom” mean?
The state or condition of being unmarried and not in a long-term romantic relationship.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state or condition of being unmarried and not in a long-term romantic relationship.
The lifestyle, social identity, and cultural experience associated with being single, often implying a conscious choice or a period of life focused on independence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly used in UK media and colloquial speech. In the US, 'singlehood' is a less common but existing alternative, though 'being single' is the dominant phrase.
Connotations
In both varieties, it often has a neutral or positive, self-aware connotation, contrasting with older, potentially negative terms like 'spinsterhood' or 'bachelorhood'.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English; considered a recognisable but not ultra-common word in US English.
Grammar
How to Use “singledom” in a Sentence
live in + singledombe + in + singledomembrace + singledomVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “singledom” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable - 'singledom' is a noun]
American English
- [Not applicable - 'singledom' is a noun]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable - 'singledom' is a noun]
American English
- [Not applicable - 'singledom' is a noun]
adjective
British English
- [Not applicable - 'singledom' is a noun]
American English
- [Not applicable - 'singledom' is a noun]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in marketing or articles targeting lifestyle/consumer trends.
Academic
Rare. Might appear in sociology, cultural studies, or gender studies discussing modern relationship structures.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation, lifestyle magazines, blogs, and social media discussions about relationships.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “singledom”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “singledom”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “singledom”
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'She is singledom' – INCORRECT). It is only a noun.
- Confusing it with 'singlehood'. 'Singledom' is more informal and media-friendly.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a recognised modern word in major dictionaries, formed by adding the suffix '-dom' (state/condition) to 'single'.
They are near-synonyms. 'Singledom' is more informal, playful, and common in UK media. 'Singlehood' is less common and can sound slightly more formal or sociological.
Its primary modern usage is neutral or positive, focusing on choice and lifestyle. However, context can give it a negative tone (e.g., 'forced into singledom'), but this is less common than with older terms like 'spinsterhood'.
No. The related verb is 'to single out' (to choose individually), which has a completely different meaning. The state is described using phrases like 'to be in singledom' or 'to embrace singledom'.
The state or condition of being unmarried and not in a long-term romantic relationship.
Singledom is usually informal, journalistic, lifestyle writing in register.
Singledom: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪŋɡ(ə)ldəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪŋɡəldəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms. The word itself is a modern, quasi-idiomatic formation.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SINGLE' + '-DOM' (like kingdom, freedom) = the realm or state of being single.
Conceptual Metaphor
SINGLEDOM IS A STATE/COUNTRY (embrace singledom, return to singledom, live in singledom).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the typical register of 'singledom'?