Adjective / Noun / Verb A2 — Elementary /ˈsɪŋ.ɡəl/

Single — Definition, Examples & Pronunciation

Only one; not married; a one-way ticket or solo song — one word, many uses.

Quick Definition

Single (adjective) — only one; not two or more: a single mistake. Also: not in a romantic relationship or not married.

Single (noun) — a one-way ticket; a pop song released on its own; a one-run score in cricket.

Single (verb) — to choose one particular person or thing from a group. Always used with out: to single someone out.

What Does Single Mean?

Single descends from Latin singulus meaning "one at a time, individual", which came from the Proto-Indo-European root *sem- (one, together). It reached English via Old French sengle in the 14th century. The same root gives English words such as simple (originally "one-fold"), similar, and same. The verb use — to single out — developed in the 17th century from the idea of separating a single animal from a herd.

Today single is one of the most versatile words in everyday English. As an adjective it appears in emphatic negatives ("not a single person") and factual statements ("a single room"). As a noun it is essential vocabulary for travel in the UK ("a single to Manchester") and for talking about music ("their latest single"). As a verb, single out is a common phrasal verb in both formal and informal contexts.

Featured example: Not a single student failed the reading comprehension test this term. Here single is used as an emphatic adjective inside a negative sentence to stress that zero students failed — not even one.

Example Sentences by Level

SentenceLevelUsage note
Can I have a single to London, please? A2 single as noun — one-way ticket (British English)
She lives in a single room near the university. A2 single as adjective — describing a room for one person
Not a single student failed the reading comprehension test this term. B1 single as emphatic adjective in negative sentence for emphasis
The band released their first single last Friday and it reached number three in the charts. B1 single as noun — music release
The report singled out poor communication as the primary cause of the project's failure. B2 single out as phrasal verb — to identify one factor from several
It is extraordinary that a single individual can exert such a profound influence on an entire generation. C1 single as intensifying adjective in formal register

Collocations

CollocationExample
single roomI'd like to book a single room for two nights.
single bedThe children's dormitory has ten single beds.
single ticket / single fareA single ticket to Bristol costs less than a return.
single parent / single mother / single fatherShe raised three children as a single parent.
single filePlease walk in single file along the corridor.
every singleHe checks his phone every single morning before breakfast.
not a singleThere was not a single cloud in the sky.
lead singleThe lead single from the album was a massive hit.
single outThe coach singled out two players for special training.
single-mindedHer single-minded determination helped her reach the top.

Usage Notes

Key Points for ESL Learners

  • Emphatic negative: "Not a single…" is a strong way to say "none at all". It is more emphatic than "no": Not a single person complained (stronger than No one complained).
  • British travel vocabulary: In British English, a single is a one-way ticket. In American English you say a one-way ticket. The British equivalent of a round trip is a return.
  • Relationship status: Describing someone as single is neutral and polite. It simply means they are not currently in a romantic relationship. Unmarried is more formal.
  • Single out (verb): This phrasal verb requires out. The object can appear between single and out (single him out) or after out (single out the winner). It can carry positive or negative connotations depending on context.
  • Single-minded: Note the hyphen. It means having complete focus on one goal. This is a positive quality in most contexts.

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

I want to single him without any reason. (missing "out")

I don't want to single him out without any reason. (phrasal verb requires "out")

She is a single woman — she has never been married. (confusing single with unmarried)

She has never been married. / She is unmarried. (use "single" only for current relationship status, not marital history)

Can I have a single ticket return? (mixing single and return)

Can I have a single to Leeds? / Can I have a return to Leeds? (single = one-way; return = round trip)

Not a single students passed. (subject-verb agreement error)

Not a single student passed. ("single" takes a singular noun)

Etymology

From Latin singulus (one at a time, individual), derived from Proto-Indo-European root *sem- (one, as one). Entered English via Old French sengle in the mid-14th century. Related Latin forms include semel (once) and simplus (simple, one-fold). The verb use of single out emerged in the 17th century, borrowing the image of a herdsman separating a single animal from a group.

Related Words

simple only alone individual unique choose select

Synonyms

sole lone individual unique solitary unattached unmarried

Antonyms

multiple double married coupled several

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Vocabulary Quiz Hangman

Frequently Asked Questions about “single”

What does single mean in English?
Single has several meanings depending on its part of speech. As an adjective it means 'only one' ('not a single word') or 'not in a romantic relationship' ('she is single'). As a noun it means a one-way ticket ('a single to Birmingham') or a song released separately from an album. As a verb it means to select one person or thing from a group, always used with 'out': 'The teacher singled him out for praise.'
What is the difference between single and only?
Both single and only can emphasise that there is just one of something, but they are used differently. Only is an adverb or adjective that restricts a statement: 'Only one student passed.' Single is used for emphasis, often in negative sentences or questions: 'Not a single student failed.' Single cannot replace only in all contexts — you cannot say 'she is the single person who knows' meaning 'the only person'.
How do you use 'single out' in a sentence?
'Single out' is a phrasal verb meaning to choose one person or thing from a group, often for special attention, criticism, or praise. For example: 'The manager singled out three employees for an award.' 'I did not want to single anyone out in front of the whole class.' The object can go between 'single' and 'out' or after 'out': 'single him out' or 'single out the best candidate'.
What does 'a single' mean in British English?
In British English, 'a single' most commonly refers to a one-way train or bus ticket: 'Two singles to Edinburgh, please.' It contrasts with 'a return', which is a round-trip ticket. A single can also mean a pop song released on its own, or a one-pound coin in informal speech. In cricket, a single means scoring one run.
Is 'single' rude or impolite?
No, 'single' is a neutral, standard English word when used to describe someone who is not in a romantic relationship. It is far more polite than older expressions. In formal writing you might say 'unmarried', but in everyday speech 'single' is perfectly acceptable and widely used.
What is the noun form of single?
Single itself is used as a noun. Common noun uses include: a single (one-way ticket), a single (music release), singles (the singles chart), and singles (a tennis match between two individual players rather than pairs). The plural 'singles' is used for both music and tennis.
What are common collocations with single?
Common collocations with single include: single room, single bed, single ticket, single mother/father, single file, lead single, number one single, every single day, not a single word, single-handedly, single out, single-minded, and single currency. In British English, 'single cream' is a thinner type of cream used in cooking.
What is the origin of the word single?
Single comes from Latin 'singulus' meaning 'one at a time, individual'. It entered English via Old French 'sengle' in the 14th century. The root 'sem-' (one) also appears in 'simple' (one-fold), 'similar', and 'same'. The verb use of 'single out' developed in the 17th century from the idea of separating one from a group.
What is the difference between a single bed and a twin bed?
In British English, a single bed is a narrow bed designed for one person. A twin room in a hotel has two separate single beds. In American English, what the British call a single bed is often called a twin bed. This is a common source of confusion for ESL learners and travellers. A double bed is wider and designed for two people.
How can I practise using single in English?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to practise single in different grammatical contexts — as an adjective, noun, and verb. The Flash Cards tool is ideal for learning collocations such as 'single file', 'single-minded', and 'single out'. Listening to song titles and news headlines is another effective way to see the word used naturally.