single

sin|gle1 [ `sıŋgl ] adjective ***

▸ 1 only one

▸ 2 not married

▸ 3 for one person

▸ 4 the same for everyone

▸ 5 considered separately

▸ 6 ticket: one way only

▸ + PHRASES

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:

My first year in college I had a roommate, but the second year I got a single room.

a single bed/mattress/sheet: The room has two single beds.

4. ) the same for everyone:

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

5. ) considered separately:

the single largest/biggest etc.: The single most important reason why people don't vote is apathy.

Do we have to count every single penny we spend?

the biggest/largest etc. single: This is the biggest single issue facing older people.

6. ) BRITISH ONE-WAY:

I'd like a single ticket to Dover.

not a single

not even one:

You didn't write a single letter the whole time you were away.

single

sin|gle 2 [ `sıŋgl ] noun count **

▸ 1 short musical record

▸ 2 in baseball/cricket

▸ 3 in tennis

▸ 4 room/bed for one person

▸ 5 one-dollar bill

▸ 6 people not married

▸ 7 one ticket at theater

▸ 8 one-way ticket

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

a ) in CRICKET, one RUN

3. ) singles plural in tennis, a match played between two people

4. ) a room or bed for one person:

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

5. ) AMERICAN a one-dollar bill:

I have a five and two tens, but no singles.

6. ) singles plural people who are not married, or not in a romantic relationship, considered as a group:

a singles bar/club

7. ) one ticket or seat at a theater:

I have a single in the balcony if anyone wants it.

8. ) BRITISH a ONE-WAY ticket

single

sin|gle 3 [ `sıŋgl ] verb intransitive

in baseball, to hit a single

,single `out phrasal verb transitive

single someone out to choose one person from a group for special attention:

single someone out for something: Katie was often singled out for punishment.

single someone out as something: Who would you single out as the most promising student of the year?