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

Fifteen years after the shooting, Kelly and Giffords remain a singular entity in American public life. — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

Going into a 2026 fantasy football draft with a singular focus on drafting a rookie tight end and betting on surplus value is relying on a relatively small sample size and taking on significant risk. — John Riker, New York Times, 20 July 2026

This, together with the elegant, homely decor, is symbolic of the kind of singular community this hotel has strived to create. — Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026

Everybody loves ranch dressing Of all the American foods that caught on with foreigners during the World Cup — from gas stations like Buc-ees to diners like Waffle House — perhaps no singular item excited soccer fans as much as ranch dressing. — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 19 July 2026

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