singles: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral; common in everyday, business (music/hospitality), and media contexts.
Quick answer
What does “singles” mean?
Grammatically, the plural form of the noun 'single'. Used to refer to multiple separate, individual, or unmarried persons, or to multiple individual items (like songs or tennis matches).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Grammatically, the plural form of the noun 'single'. Used to refer to multiple separate, individual, or unmarried persons, or to multiple individual items (like songs or tennis matches).
Extends to refer to a social group (unmarried/uncoupled people), a category of products (individual music tracks), a type of accommodation (single-bed rooms), or a format in sports (one-on-one matches).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Singles' as a noun for unmarried people is equally common. In tennis, 'singles match' is standard in both. The term for individual song releases is identical.
Connotations
Slight UK tendency to use 'single' (as in 'a single') more formally for an unmarried person. In US, 'singles' as a demographic (e.g., 'dating for singles') is very prominent in advertising.
Frequency
Comparably high frequency in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “singles” in a Sentence
N + of + singles (a group of singles)V + singles (release singles)Adj + singles (digital singles)Singles + V (singles cater to...)For + singles (apartments for singles)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “singles” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He always singles out the weakest player for criticism.
- The report singles procurement as a key area for savings.
American English
- She singles him out for special praise every time.
- The study singles social media as a major factor.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial use for 'singles']
American English
- [No standard adverbial use for 'singles']
adjective
British English
- They offer singles holidays for people travelling alone.
- We need to book two singles rooms for the trainees.
American English
- The complex has a great singles scene.
- Check the singles charts for this week's top songs.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In music: 'The label will promote the new singles before the album drop.' In hospitality: 'The hotel has 30 singles and 20 doubles.'
Academic
In sociology: 'The study analysed spending habits of urban singles aged 25-40.'
Everyday
'We're both singles, so we decided to flat-share.' 'I prefer playing singles to doubles.'
Technical
In tennis: 'She has entered the women's singles tournament.' In music production: 'The mastering process differs for album tracks and commercial singles.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “singles”
- Using a singular verb with 'singles' as a collective group (e.g., 'Singles is a big market' → 'Singles are a big market'). Confusing 'singles' (noun) with 'single's' (possessive).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's highly context-dependent. It can refer to individual songs, one-on-one sports matches, or hotel rooms with one bed.
No, 'singles' is grammatically plural. The singular is 'a single' (e.g., a single person, a single room, a music single).
It is a neutral, factual descriptor (e.g., 'He's single'). However, context and tone matter. Using it as a defining label ('the singles in the office') can sometimes feel reductive.
A 'single' is a song released separately, often for radio promotion or individual sale, typically ahead of or separate from an album. An 'album track' is any song contained on an album, which may or may not have been a single.
Grammatically, the plural form of the noun 'single'. Used to refer to multiple separate, individual, or unmarried persons, or to multiple individual items (like songs or tennis matches).
Singles is usually neutral; common in everyday, business (music/hospitality), and media contexts. in register.
Singles: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪŋ.ɡəlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪŋ.ɡəlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No strong idioms for plural 'singles'. Related: 'to play singles' (tennis), 'to release a single']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SINGLE-S (Single + S). Multiple people who are SINGLE, or multiple songs sold as a SINGLE unit.
Conceptual Metaphor
INDIVIDUALITY IS SEPARATENESS (the singles are apart from the paired/coupled group). A UNIT OF COMMERCE IS A DISCRETE OBJECT (singles as products).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'singles' NOT typically refer to people?