single

I UK [ˈsɪŋɡ(ə)l] / US adjective ***

1) only one

We ought to be able to complete the work in a single day.

The envelope contained a single sheet of paper.

2) not married, or not in a romantic relationship

Please state whether you are single, married, or divorced.

Are there no attractive single men left?

3) designed for one person, or used by one person

a single bed/mattress/sheet:

The room has two single beds.

There is a supplement to pay for a single room.

4) considered separately

Do we have to count every single penny we spend?

the single largest/biggest etc:

Drugs are the single biggest cause of crime here.

the biggest/largest etc single:

This is the biggest single issue facing older people.

5) the same for everyone

We're paying a single rate for all workers, experienced or inexperienced.

6) British a single ticket is used for travelling to a place, but not for returning from it

I'd like a single ticket to Dover.

•

- not a single

II UK [ˈsɪŋɡ(ə)l] / US noun [countable]
Word forms "single":
singular single plural singles
**

1) a musical record with only one song or piece of music on each side

All the group's hit singles have been collected on an album.

2)

a) in baseball, a hit that allows the player who is batting (= hitting the ball) to get to first base

b) in cricket, one run (= point)

3) singles

[plural] in tennis, a match played between two people

4) a room or bed for one person

We'll need one single and one double for the night.

5) singles

[plural] people who are not married, or not in a romantic relationship, considered as a group

a singles bar/club

6) British a ticket used for travelling to a place, but not for returning from it

7) American a one-dollar note

8) mainly American one ticket or seat at a theatre

III UK [ˈsɪŋɡ(ə)l] / US verb [intransitive]
Word forms "single":
present tense I/you/we/they single he/she/it singles present participle singling past tense singled past participle singled

in baseball, to hit a single

Phrasal verbs:

- single out