Definition Definition

singular - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'singular' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Singular [ a.]
- Separate or apart from others; single; distinct.
- Engaged in by only one on a side; single.
- Existing by itself; single; individual.
- Each; individual; as, to convey several parcels of land, all and singular.
- Denoting one person or thing; as, the singular number; -- opposed to dual and plural.
- Standing by itself; out of the ordinary course; unusual; uncommon; strange; as, a singular phenomenon.
- Distinguished as existing in a very high degree; rarely equaled; eminent; extraordinary; exceptional; as, a man of singular gravity or attainments.
- Departing from general usage or expectations; odd; whimsical; -- often implying disapproval or consure.
- Being alone; belonging to, or being, that of which there is but one; unique.
2 . Singular [ n.]
- An individual instance; a particular.
- The singular number, or the number denoting one person or thing; a word in the singular number.

Meaning of 'singular' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . singular [ s]
Meaning (1):
- beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
Example in sentence:
  • a curious hybrid accent;
  • had an odd name;
  • her speech has a funny twang;
  • singular behavior;
  • something definitely queer about this town;
  • the peculiar aromatic odor of cloves;
  • they have some funny ideas about war;
  • what a rum fellow
Meaning (2):
- unusual or striking
Example in sentence:
  • a remarkable sight;
  • such poise is singular in one so young
Meaning (3):
- the single one of its kind
Example in sentence:
  • a singular example;
  • a unique copy of an ancient manuscript;
  • certain types of problems have unique solutions;
  • the unique existing example of Donne's handwriting
Meaning (4):
- being a single and separate person or thing
Example in sentence:
  • can the singular person be understood apart from his culture?;
  • every fact in the world might be singular...unlike any other fact and sole of its kind