singular

1 of 2

adjective

sin·​gu·​lar ˈsiŋ-gyə-lər 

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

singularly adverb

singular

2 of 2

noun

1

: the singular number, the inflectional form denoting it, or a word in that form

2

: a singular term

Synonyms of singular

Adjective

• extraordinary
• unusual
• unique
• exceptional
• rare
• uncommon
• abnormal
• remarkable
• outstanding
• odd

Choose the Right Synonym for singular

strange, singular, unique, peculiar, eccentric, erratic, odd, quaint, outlandish mean departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected.

strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

a journey filled with strange sights

singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

a singular feeling of impending disaster

unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

a career unique in the annals of science

peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

the peculiar status of America's First Lady

eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

an odd sense of humor

quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

a quaint fishing village

outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

outlandish fashions of the time

Examples of singular in a Sentence

Adjective

In the phrase “his car is red,” the word “car” is a singular noun.

He had a singular appearance.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

With Giuseppe Tornatore—the Oscar-winning director of Cinema Paradiso (1990)—at the helm, the film offers a romantic portrait of Cucinelli’s singular brand of craftsmanship and philosophy, rendered with a hint of silver screen nostalgia. —Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2025

For some costumes, including Glinda’s iconic bubble dress, the costume team went as far as dedicating up to 137 pattern pieces and 225 hours into hand-beading a singular bodice. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025

Morgan's Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge Located just north of San Juan del Sur, Morgan's Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge is renowned for curating an immersive and sustainable jungle experience that feels singular in Nicaragua. —Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 4 Dec. 2025

These singular recipes satisfy our families and stand the test of time. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 4 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing singular

• singular point
• the singular

Rhymes for singular

• cingular

Kids Definition

singular

1 of 2 adjective

sin·​gu·​lar ˈsiŋ-gyə-lər 

1

a

: of or relating to a separate person or thing : individual

b

: of, relating to, or constituting 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

: exceptional sense 1

3

: different from general expectations : peculiar

singularly adverb

singular

2 of 2 noun

: something that is singular

especially : the singular number, the inflectional form denoting it, or a word in that form