singularize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “singularize” mean?
To make singular or unique.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make singular or unique; to treat or view as distinct from others.
In linguistics/computing: to convert a word from plural to singular form. Figuratively: to make something stand out as exceptional or single.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling variant 'singularise' is standard in British English; 'singularize' is standard in American English. Usage patterns are otherwise identical.
Connotations
None beyond the spelling difference.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, slightly more common in American English due to computing terminology.
Grammar
How to Use “singularize” in a Sentence
singularize + object (noun/phrase)be + singularized + by + agentVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “singularize” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The grammar tool can singularise most common nouns automatically.
- We decided to singularise the dataset to avoid duplicate entries.
American English
- The program will singularize 'children' to 'child'.
- He tends to singularize his own struggles, ignoring shared experiences.
adverb
British English
- The nouns were processed singularisingly by the old software.
adjective
British English
- A singularising algorithm.
- The singularised form is stored.
American English
- A singularizing function.
- The singularized data set.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in data analytics: 'We need to singularize the customer IDs for the report.'
Academic
Common in linguistics and grammar studies: 'The study aimed to singularize irregular plural nouns automatically.'
Everyday
Very rare. May be used metaphorically: 'He tends to singularize his problems, thinking no one else has them.'
Technical
Standard in computational linguistics and database management: 'The script uses a library to singularize all user-inputted nouns.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “singularize”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “singularize”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “singularize”
- Confusing with 'signalize' or 'summarize'. Incorrect: 'We need to singularize the main points' (should be 'summarize'). Incorrect preposition: 'singularize into' (usually transitive without 'into').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a low-frequency, specialized term primarily used in linguistics, programming, and data management.
British English uses 'singularise', American English uses 'singularize'. Both follow the standard -ise/-ize spelling convention.
Yes, but it's rare. It can mean to treat something as unique or exceptional, e.g., 'She singularized her contribution to the project.'
The most direct antonym in a technical context is 'pluralize'. In a figurative sense, 'generalize' is an opposite.
Singularize is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Singularize: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪŋɡjʊləraɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪŋɡjələˌraɪz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SINGLE + -ize = to make into a single form.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNIQUENESS IS SINGULARITY (treating something as one-of-a-kind).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'singularize' most appropriately used?