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

In a world of extreme attention on uniform uniformity – the NFL has 64 employees whose only job is to look for dress code violations on game day – there is not exactly a lot of room for displays of personality and individuality in the NFL uniform. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 23 Nov. 2025

The work of the hand, the artisanal touch and individuality that luxury is leaning into is now one of its key messages. —Alex Badia, Footwear News, 21 Nov. 2025

Innovation and individuality are your new allies. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025

That’s not to say that their outfits, united by long leather trenches, were totally devoid of uniqueness or individuality. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2025

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