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 moment when personal style is moving away from strict rules and toward small joys, the phone case has become a tiny billboard for individuality. —Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026

While bag charms, Labubus and tees and hats from local coffee shops gained popularity in 2025, Becker sees more artistry coming back into how consumers express their interests and individuality. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 20 Jan. 2026

If not every case demanded the same treatment, but every patient had an equal moral claim to dignity, freedom, and individuality, how to bring civil rights into the exam room? —Eric Boodman, STAT, 20 Jan. 2026

My Fall 2026 collections are inspired by the different ways men live, their individuality, and personal style. —Brittany Talarico, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 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