singular

singular

adjective

Definition of SINGULAR

1

being out of the ordinary <the novelist's singular command of the language makes her a compelling voice in contemporary fiction>

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

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

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

2

noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced <appearing on the game show has been the most singular experience of my life>

Synonyms curious, extraordinary, funny, odd, offbeat, out-of-the-way, peculiar, queer, rare, singular, strange, unaccustomed, uncommon, uncustomary, unique, weird

Related Words bizarre, eccentric, far-out, kooky (also kookie), oddball, outlandish, outré, way-out; aberrant, abnormal, atypical, exceptional, irregular; newsworthy, notable, noteworthy, noticeable, particular, remarkable, special

Near Antonyms unexceptional; expected, predictable; familiar, normal, regular, typical

Antonyms common, ordinary, plain, usual

3

of, relating to, or belonging to a single person <preserving our national heritage is not a singular responsibility but our collective duty>

Synonyms idiomatic, individualized, particular, patented, peculiar, personal, personalized, private, privy, separate, singular, subjective, unique

Related Words characteristic, distinctive, intimate; identifying, idiosyncratic; especial, express, special, specific; independent, nonconformist, self-directed, self-sufficient; custom, customized, specialized

Near Antonyms broad, prevailing, prevalent, widespread; common, normal, regular, typical

Antonyms general, generic, popular, public, shared, universal

4

being the one or ones of a class with no other members <this crime was a singular case, and using it as a reason for revising the criminal code would be ill-advised>

Synonyms alone, lone, one, one-off, singular, sole, solitary, special, sui generis, unique

Related Words single, solo, unaccompanied, unattended; incomparable, inimitable, matchless, peerless, unequaled (or unequalled), unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled (or unrivalled), unsurpassable, unsurpassed; distinct, distinctive, individual, separate; nonce

Near Antonyms divers, manifold, multifarious, myriad; assorted, heterogenous, miscellaneous, mixed, motley, patchwork, promiscuous, varied; popular, prevailing, prevalent, rampant; perennial, recurrent, repeated