singular

¹sin·gu·lar

adj \ˈsiŋ-gyə-lər\

Definition of SINGULAR

1

a : of or relating to a separate person or thing : individual b : of, relating to, or being a word form denoting one person, thing, or instance <a singular noun> c : of or relating to a single instance or to something considered by itself

2

: distinguished by superiority : exceptional <an artist of singular attainments>

3

: being out of the ordinary : unusual <on the way home we had a singular adventure>

4

: departing from general usage or expectation : peculiar, odd <the air had a singular chill>

5

a of a matrix : having a determinant equal to zero b of a linear transformation : having the property that the matrix of coefficients of the new variables has a determinant equal to zero

— sin·gu·lar·ly adverb

Examples of SINGULAR

1. In the phrase “his car is red,” the word “car” is a singular noun.
2. “Walks” in “she walks everyday” is a singular verb.
3. He had a singular appearance.

Origin of SINGULAR

Middle English singuler, from Anglo-French, from Latin singularis, from singulus only one — more at single

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SINGULAR

Synonyms: aberrant, aberrated, abnormal, anomalous, atypical, especial, exceeding, extraordinaire, extraordinary, freak, odd, peculiar, phenomenal, preternatural, rare, exceptional, uncommon, uncustomary, unique, unusual, unwonted

Antonyms: common, customary, normal, ordinary, typical, unexceptional, unextraordinary, usual

Related Words: conspicuous, notable, noticeable, outstanding, prominent, remarkable, salient, striking; bizarre, deviant, eccentric, freakish, monstrous, oddball, outlandish, quaint, strange, weird; incomprehensible, inconceivable, incredible, unimaginable, unthinkable

Near Antonyms: everyday, familiar, frequent

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

See Synonym Discussion at strange

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile