Synonyms of individual

individual 1 of 2

noun

1

as in person

a member of the human race

every individual has value

Synonyms & Similar Words

• person
• man
• life
• guy
• creature
• human
• soul
• thing
• customer
• bird
• body
• being
• character
• sort
• fish
• personality
• specimen
• party
• human being
• baby
• egg
• duck
• scout
• face
• mortal
• cookie
• devil
• personage
• fellow
• bod
• son of man
• head
• wight
• stiff
• self
• slob
• somebody
• neighbor
• brother
• celebrity
• hominid
• humanoid
• homo
• fellowman

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• animal
• beast
• brute
• critter
• beastie

2

as in entity

one that has a real and independent existence

our general concept of what constitutes a chair is based on our experience with many individuals that were called chairs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• entity
• object
• substance
• reality
• thing
• something
• being
• individuality
• commodity
• body
• subject
• existent
• matter
• integer
• material
• quantity
• stuff

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonentity

individual

2 of 2

adjective

ˌin-də-ˈvi-jə-wəl 

1

as in subjective

of, relating to, or belonging to a single person

everyone has his or her own individual opinion about the subject, but you will have to work together

Synonyms & Similar Words

• subjective
• personal
• personalized
• private
• individualized
• unique
• particular
• singular
• separate
• patented
• distinctive
• idiomatic
• specific
• characteristic
• peculiar
• privy
• identifying
• idiosyncratic
• intimate
• independent
• special
• specialized
• express
• custom
• customized
• especial
• nonconformist
• self-sufficient
• self-directed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• general
• public
• universal
• popular
• generic
• broad
• widespread
• shared
• normal
• prevalent
• common
• regular
• typical
• prevailing

2

as in separate

not the same or shared

guest rooms at the inn have individual bathrooms

Synonyms & Similar Words

• separate
• respective
• different
• various
• diverse
• disparate
• divergent
• distinctive
• dissimilar
• varied
• distinct
• distinguishable
• unalike

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• same
• identical
• very
• selfsame

3

as in characteristic

serving to identify as belonging to an individual or group

he's got a highly individual laugh that I would know anywhere

Synonyms & Similar Words

• characteristic
• distinct
• distinctive
• typical
• distinguishing
• identifying
• diagnostic
• peculiar
• symptomatic
• proper
• classic
• unmistakable
• discriminating
• specific
• general
• usual
• identifiable
• particular
• generic
• common
• idiosyncratic
• special
• normal
• regular
• pronounced
• model
• archetypal
• paradigmatic
• especial

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• atypical
• uncharacteristic
• untypical
• nontypical

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective individual differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of individual are especial, particular, special, and specific. While all these words mean "of or relating to one thing or class," individual implies unequivocal reference to one of a class or group.

valued each individual opinion

Where would especial be a reasonable alternative to individual?

The words especial and individual can be used in similar contexts, but especial may add implications of preeminence or preference.

a matter of especial importance

When would particular be a good substitute for individual?

The words particular and individual are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, particular stresses the distinctness of something as an individual.

a ballet step of particular difficulty

When is special a more appropriate choice than individual?

The synonyms special and individual are sometimes interchangeable, but special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.

special ingredients

When could specific be used to replace individual?

While in some cases nearly identical to individual, specific implies a quality or character distinguishing a kind or a species.

children with specific nutritional needs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of individual

Noun

The legislation would require individuals to register to vote in person with the necessary documents, effectively limiting or ending registration online or by mail. — Grace Hase, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026

The reported passing of Canfield has also been cited as a significant factor in the company’s decline, underscoring how dependent the venture may have been on a single individual. — Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Despite Plum’s individual success, the partnership never translated into team success. — Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026

The policies cover about 220,000 people — 157,000 with individual plan coverage and 63,000 with small group plans. — Jenna Carlesso, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026