individuality

noun

in·​di·​vid·​u·​al·​i·​ty ˌin-də-ˌvi-jə-ˈwa-lə-tē 

plural individualities

1

a

: total character peculiar to and distinguishing an individual from others

Their modernism has a … determined individuality of style, so that no mature artist can be confused with another …

—John Updike

b

: personality

a child asserting her individuality

2

: separate or distinct existence

… ants … turn out to have no individuality but are only cells of a colony.

—Alison Lurie

3

: individual, person

4

archaic : the quality or state of being indivisible

Synonyms of individuality

• identity
• personality

Examples of individuality in a Sentence

She uses her clothing to express her individuality.

materials that highlight the individuality of each piece in the collection

Recent Examples on the Web

While each actor has his own highlights of interpreting the sweeping script, the third-person narrative ensures that individuality is not the most critical aspect of the storytelling. —David John Chávez, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026

And embracing that individuality, Vahia says, is the real art of geriatric medicine and aging well. —Emily Kwong, NPR, 25 Feb. 2026

Instead, the designer says it’s being used as art that reflects the individuality of the people who live in the space. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Feb. 2026

And Liu is not only Olympian showcasing individuality and expression during the Winter Games. —Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for individuality

• confidentiality
• constitutionality
• immateriality
• intellectuality
• intersectionality
• intertextuality
• referentiality
• superficiality
• territoriality
• abnormality
• cardinality
• commonality

Kids Definition

individuality

noun

in·​di·​vid·​u·​al·​i·​ty ˌin-də-ˌvij-ə-ˈwal-ət-ē 

plural individualities

1

: the qualities that make one person or thing different from all others

2

: the quality or state of being an individual