singly

adverb

sin·​gly ˈsiŋ-g(ə-)lē 

1

: without the company of others : individually

2

: single-handed

Synonyms

• alone
• independently
• single-handed
• single-handedly
• solely
• unaided
• unassisted

Examples of singly in a Sentence

The birds can be seen singly or in groups.

either singly or with the cooperation of other nations, we must do something about this pressing environmental issue

Recent Examples on the Web

Understanding Squash Vine Borers The adult female moths lay small reddish-brown disc-like eggs (about 1mm in diameter) singly at the base of each plant stem, depositing about 200 eggs during her lifetime. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2025

Runners singly crisscross the street in black balaclavas and tight-fitting black tops and black tights and black gloves. —Joseph O’Neill, The New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2025

Even inaccurate forecasts helped to quantify how interventions—singly or in combination, immediate or delayed—could change an epidemic’s trajectory. —IEEE Spectrum, 28 May 2015

It’s referred to as monophylla (meaning one-leaved) because its leaves or needles uniquely occur singly, as opposed to all other pine trees where needles are found in bundles of two or more. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

singly

adverb

sin·​gly ˈsiŋ-g(ə-)lē 

1

: by or with oneself : individually

2

: in a single-handed manner