singular

adjective

sin·gu·lar | \ ˈsiŋ-gyə-lər

Definition of singular

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

5a 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

singular

noun

Definition of singular (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the singular number, the inflectional form denoting it, or a word in that form

2 : a singular term

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Choose the Right Synonym for singular

Adjective

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

This small miracle of a concert was due entirely to John Hammond, a singular figure in American music. — John Edward Hasse, WSJ, "The Concert That Changed Music History," 24 Dec. 2018 Back on Earth, 530 million people were able to watch live as this singular figure put his boot on a desolate surface that no other human had ever touched. — Matt Blitz, Popular Mechanics, "What "First Man" Gets Right About the Apollo Moon Landing," 11 Oct. 2018 The following novel, Foundation and Empire, documents the struggles between the remnants of the Empire and the Foundation, as well as the rise of a singular figure known as The Mule, who seeks to destroy the Foundation. — Andrew Liptak, The Verge, "Apple has greenlit a TV show based on Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series," 23 Aug. 2018 Here are the 30 biggest moments that have defined her singular career along the way. — Billboard Staff, Billboard, "The 30 Defining Moments of Rihanna's Career," 20 Feb. 2018 The interiors—like those at any of the Sibuet properties—are spectacular, singular, and seemingly effortlessly achieved. — Corey Seymour, Vogue, "St. Barth’s Is Back—Here’s Where to Go," 30 Nov. 2018 Each stopover is tailored to guest’s individual tastes by TCS World Travel’s expert expedition leaders so that each experience is truly singular. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "Why an Around-the-World Private Jet Trip is the Only Way to Fly," 17 Aug. 2018 Kayla’s presence this summer in class was singular in ways that defy words. — Julia Fox, Teen Vogue, "Kayla Gerdes Has Overcome Obstacles to Give Back to Others," 5 Feb. 2018 But like his mind, Hawking's illness seems to be singular. — Katherine Harmon, Scientific American, "How Has Stephen Hawking Lived Past 70 with ALS?," 7 Jan. 2012

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'singular.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.