individual

1 of 2

adjective

in·​di·​vid·​u·​al ˌin-də-ˈvi-jə-wəl 

-ˈvij-wəl,

-ˈvi-jəl,

-ˈvi-jü-əl

1

a

: of, relating to, or distinctively associated with an individual

an individual effort

b

: intended for one person

an individual serving

c

: being an individual or existing as an indivisible whole

2

: having marked individuality

an individual style

3

: existing as a distinct entity : separate

4

obsolete : inseparable

individually adverb

individual

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a particular being or thing as distinguished from a class, species, or collection: such as

(1)

: a single human being as contrasted with a social group or institution

a teacher who works with individuals

(2)

: a single organism as distinguished from a group

b

: a particular person

are you the individual I spoke with on the telephone?

2

: an indivisible entity

3

: the reference of a name or variable of the lowest logical type in a calculus

Synonyms

Adjective

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

Noun

• baby
• being
• bird
• bod [British]
• body
• character
• cookie
• cooky
• creature
• customer
• devil
• duck
• egg
• face
• fish
• guy
• head
• human
• human being
• life
• man
• mortal
• party
• person
• personage
• scout
• slob
• sort
• soul
• specimen
• stiff
• thing
• wight

Choose the Right Synonym for individual

special, especial, specific, particular, individual mean of or relating to one thing or class.

special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

characteristic, individual, peculiar, distinctive mean indicating a special quality or identity.

characteristic applies to something that distinguishes or identifies a person or thing or class.

responded with her characteristic wit

individual stresses qualities that distinguish one from all other members of the same kind or class.

a highly individual writing style

peculiar applies to qualities possessed only by a particular individual or class or kind and stresses rarity or uniqueness.

an eccentricity that is peculiar to the British

distinctive indicates qualities distinguishing and uncommon and often superior or praiseworthy.

a distinctive aura of grace and elegance

Examples of individual in a Sentence

Adjective

What are the individual traits of the breed?

The doctor carefully evaluates the individual needs of her patients.

Students will receive as much individual attention as possible.

She has a very individual style of writing.

a pattern as individual as a fingerprint

Noun

They promote a philosophy that sacrifices the rights of the individual for the public welfare.

They are both rather odd individuals.

Are you the individual I spoke with on the telephone?

She's a very talented individual.

The markings on tigers are unique to each individual.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Her most notable reporting has been about taxes, including exposing billionaire tax cheats and writing cover stories on tax shelters (both corporate and individual), tax evasion, tax informants, tax administration, tax policy and legitimate tax planning. —Emma Whitford, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

The tangible economic benefits of a bachelor’s degree go on and on at the individual level and to society in general. —Arne Duncan, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2025

Noun

Adopting a Zen mindset—understanding one's mental processes and responding clearly—can help individuals overcome these challenges. —William Jones, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025

The individual has been released from police bail following the Crown Prosecution Service's decision not to bring charges, the South Yorkshire Police said Tuesday. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Medieval Latin individualis, from Latin individuus indivisible, from in- + dividuus divided, from dividere to divide

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing individual

• individual medley
• individual retirement account
• inter-individual
• matter of (individual) conscience

Rhymes for individual

• interindividual

Kids Definition

individual

1 of 2 adjective

in·​di·​vid·​u·​al ˌin-də-ˈvij-(ə-)wəl 

-ˈvij-əl

1

: of or relating to an individual

individual traits

2

: intended for one person

individual servings

3

: particular entry 1 sense 1, separate

individual copies

4

: having a special quality : distinct

an individual style

individually

-ē

adverb

individual

2 of 2 noun

1

: a single member of a class, species, or collection

2

: a single human being