singular meaning

singular as an adjective

1. unusual or striking
   • a remarkable sight
   • such poise is singular in one so young

   Synonyms: remarkable

   Similar: extraordinary

   Related forms: singularity

2. beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
   • a curious hybrid accent
   • her speech has a funny twang
   • they have some funny ideas about war
   • had an odd name
   • the peculiar aromatic odor of cloves
   • something definitely queer about this town
   • what a rum fellow
   • singular behavior

   Synonyms: curious, funny, odd, peculiar, queer, rum, rummy

   Similar: strange

   Related forms: singularity

3. being a single and separate person or thing
   • can the singular person be understood apart from his culture?
   • every fact in the world might be singular...unlike any other fact and sole of its kind

   Similar: individual

   Related forms: singularity

4. composed of one member, set, or kind

   Opposite: plural

5. grammatical number category referring to a single item or unit

   Opposite: plural

6. the single one of its kind
   • a singular example
   • the unique existing example of Donne's handwriting
   • a unique copy of an ancient manuscript
   • certain types of problems have unique solutions

   Synonyms: unique

   Similar: single

   Related forms: singularity

singular as a noun

1. the form of a word that is used to denote a singleton

   Synonyms: singular form

   Opposite: plural

   Type of: form

How to pronounce singular

singular is pronounced /ˈsɪŋɡjʊlə/ in British English and /ˈsɪŋɡjəlɚ/ in American English. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.