single
word
/ˈsɪŋɡəɫ/
SING-guhl
/sˈɪŋɡəl/
SING-guhl
Definition
Describes someone who is not married or in a romantic relationship, or refers to only one item or person rather than more than one.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and formal. As an adjective, often used with 'a single' to stress uniqueness ('a single chance'). As a noun, commonly means unmarried, especially in dating contexts. Also used for 'single ticket' (one journey) and in sports/music for an individual game or song. Not to confuse with 'simple' (easy).
Spanish: soltero - único - sencilloPortuguese (BR): solteiro - único - simples (coisa única)Portuguese (PT): solteiro - único - simples (coisa única)Chinese (Simplified): 单身 - 单个 - 单一Chinese (Traditional): 單身 - 單個 - 單一Hindi: एकल - अकेला - अविवाहितArabic: أعزب - وحيد - فرديBengali: একক - অবিবাহিতRussian: одинокий - один - неженатый - незамужняяJapanese: シングル - 独身 - たった一つのVietnamese: đơn - độc thânKorean: 싱글 - 독신 - 하나의Turkish: tek - bekarUrdu: اکیلا - غیر شادی شدہ (رشتہ نہ ہو)Indonesian: tunggal - lajang
Example Sentences
He is single and lives alone.
basic
I only have a single ticket.
basic
There isn't a single cloud in the sky.
basic
Are you single or in a relationship?
natural
She managed to solve the problem with a single phone call.
natural
Their new single is already at the top of the charts.
natural