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singular

singular

20 7.0
Very unusual in a noticeable way
  • adjective
  • /ˈsɪŋɡjələr/
translation icon : insólito
  • Never did I dream that I would be proclaimed an "Emblem of Fortitude," a "Young Man with a Singular Vision."
  • a singular event
  • a singular focus
  • very singular

It acts in a singular way somehow.

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Examples

  • Let me say that it is a singular honor to be invited to address you on this important milestone occasion.

  • What struck me as singular about the invitation was that it was for dinner.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • What a singular piece of writing, and what a singular use of language!

    Fiction book (1990)
  • But sometimes it's nice just to see that one singular striking plant.

  • The energy of the world will sometimes express itself in singular ways and for no apparent reason.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • As the world's worst debtor, Peru presented a singular problem for the international financial system.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Everyone's angle of vision is inherently singular and thus filters what is perceived.

    Academic text (1997)
  • Her discourse follows no linear logic and sustains no singular point of view.

    Academic text (1994)
  • And, as with Didion, the thread keeping these disparate scraps together is her singular voice.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Her singular talent for painting has garnered her several awards.

Synonyms

special
vssingular
1.0

Made for a particular person, purpose, or occasion

highlights unusual distinctiveness rather than specific purpose or use
strange
vssingular
2.3

Unusual and slightly odd in a way you cannot easily understand

leans toward being noticeably striking rather than merely puzzling
unusual
vssingular
2.2

Not common and different from what people expect

focuses more on being strikingly different and remarkable
different
vssingular
913 2.0

Not usual and not like what people expect

adds that the difference is striking and especially remarkable
extraordinary
vssingular
  • Formal
859 3.8

Very unusual or much greater than usual

focuses more on difference from the usual than sheer magnitude
odd
vssingular
798 1.0

Different from what is normal or expected

is stronger, stressing a striking and remarkable departure from normal
funny
vssingular
740 2.0

Causing a strange feeling in your body

is more serious, stressing striking difference rather than mild oddness
remarkable
vssingular
588 2.8

Unusual and easy to notice because it is different or surprising

is about being strikingly different from the common norm
rare
vssingular
213 4.1

Very unusual and special, not often seen

places more weight on being strikingly different than on rarity
curious
vssingular
131 4.0

Strange or unusual in a way that attracts attention

places more emphasis on being strikingly different than merely mildly interesting
exceptional
vssingular
129 4.1

Being much better than normal or usual

emphasizes being strikingly different rather than superior quality
peculiar
vssingular
123 4.6

Different from what is normal and expected

is more about clear, striking difference than merely oddness
uncommon
vssingular
122 4.6

Not often found or seen and so rare

stresses a striking difference from the norm rather than mere rarity
out of the ordinary
vssingular
48 4.1

Not usual and different from what people expect

adds that the thing is notably strikingly different from the norm
queer
vssingular
  • Offensive
18 9.1

Strange or unusual in a way you notice

avoids dated or offensive tone and stresses notable distinctiveness
signal
vssingular
  • Formal
1 7.7

Clearly important and easy to notice

stresses being strikingly different rather than just distinguished

Antonyms

843 1.0

Having the usual qualities of a person, thing, or group

683 1.0

Normal and not special or unusual

Compounds

singular matrix
  • Specialized
8.8

A square matrix with determinant zero that has no inverse

singular proposition
  • Specialized
9.5

A statement that talks about one particular person or thing

singular form
  • Specialized
1.8

The form of a word used for one person or thing

How Remarkable

extraordinary
  • Formal
859 3.8
singular
20 7.0
unusual
2.2
noticeable
65 3.2
ordinary
683 1.0

Surface Forms

singular positive

Morphology

singular = single (semi-transparent) = single + ar

The 'remarkable/unusual' sense is a figurative extension from 'single' (one/unique); the evaluative shift makes the relation only partly predictable for learners.

Etymology

Singular originally meant 'one' in Latin and is tied to the English word single, and because being alone can be striking it came to mean 'remarkable' or 'very unusual'. So a singular talent is something that stands out from the norm.