EnglishMain Dictionary
single
Universal Words
adjective, noun, verb
adjective
one
1 [onlybeforenoun] only one:
He sent her a single red rose. * a single-sex school (= for boys only or for girls only) * All these jobs can now be done by one single machine. * I couldn't understand a single word she said! * the European single currency, the euro * (BrE) a single honours degree (= for which you study only one subject)
for emphasis
2 [onlybeforenoun] used to emphasize that you are referring to one particular person or thing on its own:
Unemployment is the single most important factor in the growing crime rates. * We eat rice every single day!
not married
3 (of a person) not married or having a romantic relationship with sb:
The apartments are ideal for single people living alone. * Are you still single?
seealsoSINGLEPARENT
for one person
4 [onlybeforenoun] intended to be used by only one person:
a single bed / room * a single sheet (= large enough for a single bed)
compareDOUBLEadj.(3)
ticket
5 [onlybeforenoun] (BrE) (also one-way AmE, BrE) a single ticket, etc. can be used for travelling to a place but not back again:
a single ticket * How much is the single fare to Glasgow?
compareRETURNn.(7)
IDIOMS see FILEn., GLANCEn.
noun
ticket
1 [C] (BrE) a ticket that allows you to travel to a place but not back again:
How much is a single to York?
compareRETURNn.(7)
tape / cd
2 [C] a tape, CD, etc. with only one song on each side; the main song on this tape or CD:
The group releases its new single next week.
compareALBUM
room
3 [C] a room in a hotel, etc. for one person:
Singles are available from ｣50 per night.
compareDOUBLEn.(5)
unmarried people
4 (singles) [pl.] people who are not married and do not have a romantic relationship with sb else:
They organize parties for singles. * a singles bar / club
in sport
5 (singles) [U] (especially in tennis) a game when only one player plays against one other; a series of two or more of these games:
the women's singles champion * the first round of the men's singles * a singles match * She's won three singles titles this year.
compareDOUBLESn.(6)
6 [C] (in cricket) a hit from which a player scores one RUN (= point)
7 (in baseball) a hit that only allows the player to run to FIRSTBASE
verb
PHRASALVERBS
single sb/sth<->out (for sth / as sb/sth) to choose sb/sth from a group for special attention:
She was singled out for criticism. * He was singled out as the outstanding performer of the games.
