single

UK: ˈsɪŋɡl | US: ˈsɪŋɡl

Definition

  1. adj. only one in number; individual or separate

  2. adj. unmarried or not in a romantic relationship

  3. n. a thing or person that is singular or separate

  4. n. a hit in baseball that allows the batter to reach first base

  5. vt. to select or identify someone or something from a group

Structure
sing <one, from Latin *singulus*>le <diminutive or adjectival suffix>
Etymology

The word "single" traces back to Latin singulus, meaning "one, individual, or separate." The suffix "-le" is a common adjectival ending in English, often used to form adjectives from nouns or verbs. Over time, "single" evolved in Middle English to describe both numerical singularity (e.g., "a single apple") and relational status (e.g., "unmarried"). The baseball term emerged in the 19th century, metaphorically extending the idea of "one" to a base hit.

Examples

  1. She lives in a single room apartment downtown.

  2. He remained single throughout his life by choice.

  3. The artist released a new single last week.

  4. The batter hit a single in the third inning.

  5. The software can single out errors in the code automatically.