individual

word

/ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒəwəɫ/
in-duh-VI-juh-wuhl
/ˌɪndɪvˈɪdʒuːəl/
in-di-VI-joo-uhl

Definition

An individual is one single person, animal, or thing, considered separately from others in a group. It can also be an adjective meaning related to one person or one separate thing.

Usage & Nuances

As a noun, it is fairly formal and common in writing, reports, and official contexts: 'an individual was arrested'. In everyday speech, 'person' is often more natural. As an adjective, common patterns include 'individual needs', 'individual differences', and 'individual choice'.

Spanish: individuo - individual (persona)Portuguese (BR): indivíduo - individual (pessoa)Portuguese (PT): indivíduo - individual (pessoa)Chinese (Simplified): 个人 - 个体Chinese (Traditional): 個人 - 個體Hindi: व्यक्ति - अलग-अलग व्यक्तिArabic: فرد - شخصBengali: ব্যক্তি - স্বতন্ত্রRussian: индивид - личностьJapanese: 個人Vietnamese: cá nhânKorean: 개인Turkish: birey - kişiUrdu: فردIndonesian: individu - pribadi

Example Sentences

We try to treat each customer as an individual, not just a number.

natural

Each individual has a different name.

basic

The teacher gave individual help to every student.

basic

This bird is small, but each individual is easy to see.

basic

Their plans are great, but individual choices still matter.

natural

He’s a strange individual, but he’s always been kind to me.

natural