Topic: TRANSPORT
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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | Latin singulus |
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sin‧gle1 S2 W1
1 only one : A single tree gave shade from the sun. They won the game by a single point. the highest price ever paid for a single work of art
one
[only before noun]A single tree gave shade from the sun.They won the game by a single point.the highest price ever paid for a single work of art2 used to emphasize that you are talking about every person or thing : Don't write down every single word I say. He works every single day.
every single
Don't write down every single word I say.He works every single day.3 no people or things at all : The plane was brought down safely and not a single passenger was killed. We didn't get a single reply to the advertisement.
not a single
The plane was brought down safely and not a single passenger was killed.We didn't get a single reply to the advertisement.4 used to emphasize that you are talking about the one thing that is the biggest, greatest etc : Cigarette smoking is the single most important cause of lung cancer. Tourism is the country's single biggest earner.
the single biggest/greatest etc
Cigarette smoking is the single most important cause of lung cancer.Tourism is the country's single biggest earner.5 not married, or not involved in a romantic relationship with anyone : The changes in tax rates will benefit single people the most. Is he single?
not married
The changes in tax rates will benefit single people the most.Is he single?6 a bed, room etc that is meant to be used by one person only : You have to pay extra for a single room.
single bed/room etc
DHYou have to pay extra for a single room.7 a single ticket etc is for a trip from one place to another but not back again [= one-way; ↪ return, round-trip]
ticket
British EnglishTTWORD FOCUS: married WORD FOCUS: married
single not married
divorced if you are divorced, you have officially ended your marriage to someone
engaged if you are engaged to be married, you have formally agreed to marry someone in the future
widowed if you are widowed, your husband or wife has died
be living together to be living as a couple in the same house without being married
spouse formal the person you are married to
partner your husband, wife, boyfriend, or girlfriend
marital status whether you are single or married - used on official forms
➔ See also married
WORD FOCUS: married single not married
divorced if you are divorced, you have officially ended your marriage to someone
engaged if you are engaged to be married, you have formally agreed to marry someone in the future
widowed if you are widowed, your husband or wife has died
be living together to be living as a couple in the same house without being married
spouse formal the person you are married to
partner your husband, wife, boyfriend, or girlfriend
marital status whether you are single or married - used on official forms
➔ See also married
