• (GA) IPA: /ˈsɪŋɡjəlɚ/
• (RP) IPA: /ˈsɪŋɡjʊlə/

singular

1. Being only one of a larger population.

   A singular experiment cannot be regarded as scientific proof of the existence of a phenomenon.

   Synonyms: individual

   Antonyms: general

2. Being the only one of the kind; unique.

   She has a singular personality.

   • 1705 (revised 1718), Joseph Addison, Remarks on Several Parts of Italy

     The busts […] of the emperors and empresses are all very scarce, and some of them almost singular in their kind.

   • And God forbid that all a company / Should rue a singular man's folly.

   Synonyms: unique
3. Distinguished by superiority: peerless, unmatched, eminent, exceptional, extraordinary.

   a man of singular gravity or attainments

   Synonyms: exceptional, extraordinary, remarkable

4. Out of the ordinary; curious.

   It was very singular; I don't know why he did it.

   • So singular a sadness / Must have a cause as strange as the effect.

   • 1667, John Milton, “Book 5”, in Paradise Lost. A Poem Written in Ten Books, London: Printed [by Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […] [a]nd by Robert Boulter […] [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], OCLC 228722708 ↗; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: The Text Exactly Reproduced from the First Edition of 1667: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, OCLC 230729554 ↗:

     His zeal / None seconded, as out of season judged, / Or singular and rash.

   Synonyms: curious, eccentric, funny, odd, peculiar, rum, rummy, strange, unusual

5. (grammar) Referring to only one thing or person.

   Antonyms: plural

6. (linear algebra, of matrix) Having no inverse.

   Synonyms: non-invertible

   Antonyms: invertible, non-singular

7. (linear algebra, of transformation) Having the property that the matrix of coefficients of the new variables has a determinant equal to zero.
8. (set theory, of a cardinal number) Not equal to its own cofinality.
9. (law) Each; individual.

   to convey several parcels of land, all and singular

10. (obsolete) Engaged in by only one on a side; single.

    • to try the matter thus together in a singular combat

• (being only one) see also Thesaurus:specific
• (being the only one of a kind) see also Thesaurus:unique
• (being out of the ordinary) see also Thesaurus:strange

• (being only one) see also Thesaurus:generic

• German: einzeln
• Portuguese: único, simples
• Spanish: singular

• German: einzigartig
• Portuguese: singular, único
• Spanish: singular

• German: einzigartig
• Portuguese: singular, único
• Spanish: único

• German: ungewöhnlich
• Portuguese: singular, único
• Spanish: singular

• French: singulier
• German: singularisch
• Italian: singolare
• Portuguese: singular, único
• Russian: еди́нственный
• Spanish: singular

• French: singulier
• German: singulär

singular (plural singulars)

1. (grammar) A form of a word that refers to only one person or thing.

   Antonyms: plural

2. (logic) That which is not general; a specific determinate instance.

• singulare tantum

• French: singulier
• German: Einzahl, Singular, Singularis (dated)
• Italian: singolare
• Portuguese: singular
• Russian: еди́нственное число́
• Spanish: singular