A singular thing is one-of-a-kind, unique, and only one exists. You might hear people talking about a singular experience that stands out from others.
Singular is often used to talk about things or events that are exceptional because they happen rarely or only once. Think of a person who has achieved something incredible – their achievement might be considered a singular accomplishment. It's like being the first person to do something, so it's truly unique and stands out from everything else. In some cases, "singular" is also used in grammar to describe words that have no plural form or don't change when you refer to more than one of them – for example, "child" remains the same whether there's one child or several.
How common is "singular"?
Word singular is considered uncommon in modern English. It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
adjective
Being only one of a larger population; single, individual.
Example: A singular experiment cannot be regarded as scientific proof of the existence of a phenomenon.
Being the only one of the kind; unique.
Example: She has a singular personality.
Distinguished by superiority: peerless, unmatched, eminent, exceptional, extraordinary.
Example: a man of singular gravity or attainments
Out of the ordinary; curious.
Example: It was very singular; I don't know why he did it.
(grammar) Referring to only one thing or person.
(linear algebra, of matrix) Having no inverse.
(linear algebra, of transformation) Having the property that the matrix of coefficients of the new variables has a determinant equal to zero.
(set theory, of a cardinal number) Not equal to its own cofinality.
(chiefly law) Each; individual.
Example: to convey several parcels of land, all and singular
(obsolete) Engaged in by only one on a side; single.