single-mindedly

single-mindedly — adverb

1. With such intense focus on one goal that you put all your energy into it and pay

1.adverbC1
Definition

With such intense focus on one goal that you put all your energy into it and pay no attention to anything else.

Example

Mert studied single-mindedly for the bar exam, turning down every party invitation for six months.

subject + verb + single-mindedly + for + goal period

All evening the young pianist practised single-mindedly, repeating the same scale until her fingers ached.

time phrase + subject + verb + single-mindedly + participle clause

Synonyms
  • determinedly

    focuses on the strength of will rather than exclusivity of focus

  • resolutely

    emphasises firmness of purpose in the face of difficulty

  • wholeheartedly

    stresses enthusiasm and full commitment, not necessarily narrow focus

  • relentlessly

    highlights persistence without stopping, often in a more intense way

Antonyms

Usage Note

Frequent in contexts describing long-term goal pursuit. Often carries a tone of admiration, but in some contexts can suggest an unbalanced or obsessive quality. In casual conversation, equivalents like 'really focused' or 'worked very hard' are more common.

Common Mistakes

She is single-mindedly about her career.
She is single-minded about her career.
'single-minded' is an adjective used after 'be'; 'single-mindedly' is an adverb that modifies actions, not states.

Word family

  • single-minded
    adjectiveB2
  • single-mindedness
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four adverbs describe committed action, but they differ in emphasis. 'Determinedly' highlights inner will and refusal to give up — a student who works determinedly keeps going despite difficulty. 'Resolutely' adds a note of moral firmness or principle — someone who resolutely defends a position does so because they believe it is right. 'Wholeheartedly' shifts the focus to enthusiasm and emotional investment — you can do something wholeheartedly for a short, intense period without long-term single-mindedness. 'Single-mindedly' is narrower than all three: it implies cutting out everything else to pursue one goal. A musician might practise wholeheartedly for a week but single-mindedly for years, ignoring friends and hobbies. 'Relentlessly' is similar to 'single-mindedly' but carries a more aggressive, unceasing quality — you can be relentless without being exclusively focused on one goal.

determinedlyresolutely ↗wholeheartedlyrelentlessly

Common collocations

Phrases

  • pursue sth single-mindedly
  • work single-mindedly
  • study single-mindedly
  • focus single-mindedly on sth
  • chase a dream single-mindedly
  • train single-mindedly

Etymology

LatinOld EnglishEnglish

Formed from the adjective 'single-minded' (meaning 'having one clear purpose') and the adverb-forming suffix '-ly'. 'Single' comes from Latin 'singulus' meaning 'one, individual', while 'minded' has Old English roots ('gemynd'). The adjective 'single-minded' was first recorded in the 16th century, and the adverb form followed naturally as English speakers needed a way to describe how an action was done with exclusive focus.