single
single — adjective
1. only one, especially when the number matters or when emphasising that nothing el
only one, especially when the number matters or when emphasising that nothing else is involved.
Asher did not make a single mistake in his maths test today.
negative construction: 'not a single + noun' for emphasis
The Watanabe family spent every single weekend at the same beach near Sendai.
'every single + noun' for emphasis
A single ticket to the concert costs over three thousand dollars.
Dr. Chen could not recall a single patient with that exact symptom.
The librarian found a single copy of the rare book in the basement.
- not a single
- every single
- a single word
- a single person
- a single day
- single most
Grammar Patterns
single + noun
Usage Note
Frequently used in negative and emphatic contexts: 'not a single…', 'every single…'. Compare with the determiner 'a' — 'single' adds emphasis that the number one really matters. Distinguish from sense 3 (SEPARATE): this sense focuses on counting one, not on viewing something as an individual unit.
Common Mistakes
2. having no husband, wife, or romantic partner.
having no husband, wife, or romantic partner.
Sophia has been single since she moved to Tokyo for graduate school.
collocation: 'be single'
Caio enjoys being single because he can focus on his photography work.
Tomas enjoys the freedom of being single — he can travel whenever he wants.
pattern: 'being single' as a state of freedom
Reema does not want to stay single forever — she hopes to find a partner one day.
Many single travellers join group tours to meet new friends on the road.
collocation: 'single travellers'
- be single
- single person
- single parent
- single mother
- single father
- single life
- stay single
- single and ready to mingle
- unmarried
more formal, strictly about legal marital status
- unattached
informal, not in a relationship without implying never married
- available
informal, implies openness to dating
Grammar Patterns
be single
a single person
Usage Note
This is the most common everyday meaning of 'single'. For people who have never married, use 'never-married' for precision; 'single' covers both never-married and divorced people who are not currently in a relationship. Can also be used as a noun in the plural: 'singles' (see noun sense 5).
Common Mistakes
3. viewed or treated as one distinct unit among several, rather than grouped togeth
viewed or treated as one distinct unit among several, rather than grouped together with others.
The teacher checked each single answer on every student's exam paper.
'each single + noun' for individual attention
Sirin recorded every single expense in her notebook for the whole trip.
The manager wanted a report on each single department, not the whole office.
Please put each single item into its own bag before weighing it.
- each single
- every single
- single item
- single detail
- single component
- individual
the most common neutral alternative, works in any context
- separate
emphasises being apart from others
- distinct
formal, stresses clear differences between items
- collective
involving all members together
- combined
joined together into one
Grammar Patterns
each single + noun
every single + noun
Usage Note
Often paired with 'each' or 'every' to stress that every individual member of a group matters separately. Distinguish from sense 1 (ONE): sense 1 counts 'just one' in total, while sense 3 singles out each item in a larger set. Distinguish from sense 4 (SINGLE-SIZE): sense 4 says something is designed for use by one person, not that it is being considered separately.
4. meant for a person on their own, such as a bed or room that fits just one occupa
meant for a person on their own, such as a bed or room that fits just one occupant.
The hotel room had a single bed against the wall and a desk by the window.
collocation: 'single bed'
Ryo booked a single room at the inn near the train station for the night.
collocation: 'single room'
The flight attendant asked if I wanted a single portion of dessert or a double.
collocation: 'single portion'
A single serving of this soup is enough for a light lunch.
collocation: 'single serving'
- single bed
- single room
- single portion
- single serving
- single seat
- one-person
descriptive compound, e.g. 'one-person tent'
- individual
broader, e.g. 'individual serving'
- double
designed for two people
- twin
two separate single beds in one room
- family-sized
designed for multiple people
Grammar Patterns
single + bed / room / portion
Usage Note
Only used before nouns describing items that come in different sizes for different numbers of people (beds, rooms, seats, servings). For 'single room' this is also a countable noun (see noun sense 7). Not to be confused with sense 3 (SEPARATE): a 'single bed' is a bed for one person, not a bed that is being considered on its own.
Common Mistakes
at a (single) glance
idiomSeeing or understanding something very quickly, with just one quick look.
Mia could tell at a glance that the cake was burnt.
At a single glance, the doctor knew the patient was in pain.
Completing something in one attempt, without stopping or dividing it.
Diego finished the entire puzzle in a single go.
Can you read the whole book at one go?
(in) single file
idiomMoving in a line, with each person or thing directly behind the one in front.
The children walked in single file to the library.
Hikers should stay in single file on the narrow trail.
single — verb
1. in baseball, to hit the ball and safely reach first base, allowing the batter to
in baseball, to hit the ball and safely reach first base, allowing the batter to advance one base.
Tendai singled to left field in the third inning and drove in a run.
pattern: 'single to + direction'
Iker singled twice in last night's game against the Taipei Eagles.
Folake singled up the middle, and the runner on second base scored.
pattern: 'single up the middle'
The batter tried to hit a home run but only managed to single.
- single to left
- single to right
- single up the middle
- single to centre
- single and advance
- hit a single
the noun-based paraphrase, more common in casual speech
- strike out
to fail to hit the ball three times and be out
Grammar Patterns
single (to + direction)
single + (adverb)
Usage Note
Used almost exclusively in baseball commentary and reporting. The verb is derived from the noun sense (noun sense 3). Can also be used transitively in baseball jargon: 'to single a runner home' (rare at learner level). Irregular past tense: 'singled'.
Common Mistakes
single — noun
1. a short recording with one main song, usually released separately from an album
a short recording with one main song, usually released separately from an album to promote a musician's work.
Ziad bought the new single by his favourite Korean pop group yesterday.
collocation: 'a single by [artist]'
Sophia's debut single reached number three on the streaming charts.
collocation: 'debut single'
Christopher downloaded three singles from the album before it came out.
The band released a new single every summer for five years in a row.
Sirin listened to the single on repeat until she knew all the lyrics by heart.
- debut single
- new single
- hit single
- lead single
- release a single
- download a single
- promote a single
- album
a full-length collection of many songs
Grammar Patterns
a single
the single
a single by [artist]
Usage Note
In the age of streaming, a 'single' is any short release (1 to 3 songs) that is shorter than an EP (extended play) and much shorter than a full album. Contrast with 'album' (a full-length collection) and 'EP' (between a single and an album in length).
Common Mistakes
2. in cricket, a score of one run, usually made by the batsmen running to the oppos
in cricket, a score of one run, usually made by the batsmen running to the opposite end of the pitch after hitting the ball.
Theo pushed the ball toward third man and called for a quick single.
collocation: 'call for a single'
Aarav scored a single off the last ball of the over to keep the strike.
collocation: 'score a single'
The batsmen ran two singles in a row before attempting a risky second run.
With only one single needed to win, the crowd held its breath.
- score a single
- take a single
- call for a single
- a quick single
- run a single
- run
the general term for any scoring unit in cricket
Grammar Patterns
score a single
take a single
Usage Note
Cricket-specific term. A 'single' is the smallest scoring unit in cricket. Unlike baseball, in cricket a 'single' refers to the run itself, not the hit that produced it. Compare with noun sense 3 (baseball), where a 'single' is the type of hit.
3. a type of base hit where the batter safely stops at first base.
a type of base hit where the batter safely stops at first base.
Caio got a single in the first inning and later scored on a home run.
collocation: 'get a single'
Folake hit a single to right field, advancing the runner to third base.
pattern: 'a single to [direction]'
The pitcher gave up three singles in a row before being replaced.
With two singles and a walk, the team loaded the bases without a home run.
- hit a single
- get a single
- a single to left
- a single to centre
- line-drive single
- bloop single
Grammar Patterns
hit a single
get a single
a single to [direction]
Usage Note
A 'single' is the most common type of base hit in baseball (more frequent than doubles, triples, or home runs). The term 'single' can also be used as a verb (see verb sense 1). Distinguish from noun sense 2 (cricket), where 'single' means the run itself, not the hit.
4. a sports match where a single competitor faces one other player, as in tennis or
a sports match where a single competitor faces one other player, as in tennis or badminton.
Reema prefers playing singles because she likes to control the whole court herself.
collocation: 'play singles'
Asher won the singles final at the school tennis tournament last Saturday.
collocation: 'singles final'
The badminton club holds singles and doubles competitions every month.
paired with 'doubles'
After years of playing doubles, she decided to switch to singles.
- play singles
- singles match
- singles final
- women's singles
- men's singles
- singles competition
- singles player
- singles match
more explicit, avoids ambiguity
- one-on-one game
broad term for any sport with one vs one
- doubles
a match with two players on each side
Grammar Patterns
play singles
a singles match
Usage Note
Usually appears in the plural form 'singles' (e.g., 'women's singles', 'men's singles') when referring to the category or event. The singular 'single' can be used for one specific match, but 'singles match' is more common. Contrast with 'doubles' (two players per side) and 'mixed doubles' (one man and one woman per side).
Common Mistakes
5. unmarried people considered together as a group, especially in social or dating
unmarried people considered together as a group, especially in social or dating contexts.
The office party was open to singles and couples alike this year.
plural use: 'singles' as a noun
Many city bars host singles nights on Fridays for people looking to meet others.
collocation: 'singles night'
This dating website is designed specifically for singles over the age of fifty.
The travel agency offers group tours for young singles who want to explore Asia.
- singles night
- singles bar
- singles event
- singles cruise
- singles group
- for singles
- young singles
- unmarried people
more formal and neutral
- single people
adjective + noun, equally natural
- couples
people in romantic partnerships
- married people
people who are legally married
Grammar Patterns
the singles
singles [event]
Usage Note
Used as a plural countable noun to refer to unmarried people as a demographic. Common in commercial and social contexts: 'singles night', 'singles bar', 'singles cruise'. This sense is related to adjective sense 2 (NOT MARRIED). In formal writing, 'unmarried people' or 'single adults' is preferred.
Common Mistakes
6. a ticket that allows a passenger to travel to a destination but not back again.
a ticket that allows a passenger to travel to a destination but not back again.
Christopher bought a single from London to Edinburgh for the weekend trip.
pattern: 'a single to [destination]'
A return ticket is cheaper than buying two singles on this train route.
paired contrast: 'single' vs 'return'
The man at the ticket counter asked if I wanted a single or a return.
natural dialogue context
Folake booked a single flight to Bangkok and planned to stay for a month.
- a single to
- single ticket
- buy a single
- book a single
- single or return
- one-way ticket
American English equivalent
- single ticket
slightly more formal, same meaning
- return ticket
ticket for travel to a place and back (British)
- round-trip ticket
American English equivalent of return ticket
Grammar Patterns
a single to [destination]
a single ticket
Usage Note
Predominantly British English. In American English, the equivalent is 'one-way ticket'. The opposite is a 'return ticket' (British) or 'round-trip ticket' (American). In British railway and coach booking, 'single' is the standard term.
Common Mistakes
7. a hotel or guesthouse room designed for one person, usually with a single bed.
a hotel or guesthouse room designed for one person, usually with a single bed.
Ryo booked a single at the hostel because he was travelling alone.
collocation: 'book a single'
Michael asked for a single with a view of the ocean for three nights.
The hotel was full and had no singles left, only double rooms.
contrast with 'double rooms'
A single at this inn costs about half the price of a double room.
- book a single
- a single for two nights
- single with a view
- singles available
- price of a single
- single room
the full form, less informal than just 'single'
- double room
a room for two people with a double bed
- twin room
a room for two people with two single beds
- suite
a larger set of connected rooms
Grammar Patterns
a single
book a single
a single for [number of nights]
Usage Note
Often used without 'room' in hotel contexts: 'I'd like a single, please.' Contrast with 'double' (a room with a double bed for two people) and 'twin' (a room with two single beds). Related to adjective sense 4 (SINGLE-SIZE), which is the attributive form before 'bed', 'room', etc.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/2
All four describe someone not in a romantic relationship, but they differ in tone and focus. 'Single' is the everyday, neutral word — it covers anyone not married or not in a relationship, whether by choice or circumstance, as in 'She has been single for years and loves it.' 'Unmarried' is more formal and strictly about legal marital status: a divorced person is unmarried, but might not call themselves single if they are dating someone. 'Unattached' is informal and suggests freedom from any romantic ties, often used in dating contexts: 'He arrived at the party unattached and left with a date.' 'Available' is the most informal and implies openness to starting a relationship: 'She told her friend she was available now.'
Common collocations
Etymology
From Middle English 'sengle', borrowed through Old French 'sengle, single' from Latin 'singulus', meaning 'one alone, separate, individual'. The Latin 'singulus' is related to 'simul' (together) and 'semel' (once), suggesting the original idea of 'one by one' or 'each one separately'. The meaning 'unmarried' developed in the 1300s, based on the idea of being 'alone' or 'without a partner'. The sports senses (baseball, cricket, tennis) emerged in the 1800s as the word extended from 'one person' to 'one base', 'one run', and 'one player per side'.