single-handedly

single-handedly — adverb

1. done by one person alone, with no one else giving help or support, often when th

1.adverbB2
Definition

done by one person alone, with no one else giving help or support, often when the task is a notable achievement

Example

Lakan single-handedly built the bookshelves in his study over one weekend.

collocation: single-handedly + built [concrete project]

Jisoo single-handedly organised the entire charity event, from planning to clean-up.

position before main verb in past-tense narrative

Common collocations
  • single-handedly + built / created / organised / managed / saved / defeated / completed
  • done / achieved / accomplished single-handedly
  • not + [verb] + single-handedly
Synonyms
  • alone

    more general and neutral; simply means without other people nearby

  • independently

    emphasises self-sufficiency and freedom from outside guidance

  • unaided

    more formal; stresses the absence of external assistance, often in difficult circumstances

  • solo

    informal and common for performances, trips, or tasks done by one person

Antonyms
  • together

    the most direct opposite; implies joint effort

  • collaboratively

    formal; emphasises working in a team or partnership

  • with help

    neutral phrase that states assistance was provided

Grammar Patterns

single-handedly + verb (past tense)

verb + single-handedly

negative construction: not + verb + single-handedly

Usage Note

Typically describes significant tasks or achievements carried out by one person. The adverb can appear before or after the main verb; pre-verb position adds emphasis. Adding 'alone' or 'by himself / herself' after 'single-handedly' is redundant and should be avoided.

Common Mistakes

She single-handedly finished the whole report by herself.
She single-handedly finished the whole report.
'by herself' repeats the meaning of 'single-handedly'.
He single-handedly carried the box.
He carried the box by himself.
For small everyday tasks, 'single-handedly' sounds exaggerated; use 'by himself' instead.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

Alone is the most general and neutral term, simply emphasising that no other people are present. Independently adds a nuance of self-sufficiency and freedom from outside direction or control. Unaided is more formal and underscores the lack of external support or tools, often in challenging situations. Solo is informal and commonly describes performances, trips, or tasks carried out by a single person. While single-handedly conveys that a single person carried a significant burden or achieved something noteworthy, these synonyms differ in connotation: alone is purely factual, independently highlights autonomy, unaided stresses difficulty, and solo is casual. For example, 'She walked home alone' is neutral, but 'She single-handedly turned the company around' emphasises the weight of her individual effort.

alone ↗independently ↗unaided ↗solo ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

Phrases

  • single-handedly + past-tense verb of creation or achievement
  • not + verb + single-handedly

Etymology

LatinFrenchOld EnglishEnglish

Formed from the adjective 'single-handed' — which originally meant 'using one hand' in the 17th century and later shifted to 'done without help' — plus the adverb-forming suffix '-ly'. The figurative sense (without assistance) became dominant by the 19th century.