English Dictionary
Definition of “individual”
individual (ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəl
)
Definitions
adjective
- of, relating to, characteristic of, or meant for a single person or thing
- separate or distinct, esp from others of its kind; particular ⇒
please mark the individual pages
- characterized by unusual and striking qualities; distinctive
- obsolete indivisible; inseparable
noun
- a single person, esp when regarded as distinct from others
- biology
- a single animal or plant, esp as distinct from a species
- a single member of a compound organism or colony
- logic
- Also called particularan object as opposed to a property or class
- an element of the domain of discourse of a theory
Alternative Forms
ˌindiˈvidually adverb Word Origin
C15: from Medieval Latin indīviduālis, from Latin indīviduus indivisible, from in-C15: from Medieval Latin from Latin indivisible, from 1 + divisible, from to + dīviduus divisible, from dīvidere to divide
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
unique,
different,
special,
original,
fresh,
novel,
exclusive,
distinct,
singular,
idiosyncratic,
unorthodox,
=
distinctive,
special,
personal,
particular,
specific,
characteristic,
distinguishing,
distinct,
signature,
peculiar,
respective,
idiosyncratic,
personalized,
own,
several,
=
person,
being,
human,
party,
body,
type,
unit,
character,
soul,
creature,
human being,
mortal,
personage,
living soul
Translations
- British English:
individual
Individual means relating to one person or thing, rather than to a large group.We ask each individual customer for suggestions.ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəl ADJECTIVE We ask each individual customer for suggestions.
- Spanish:
individual
adj
- French:
individuel
adj
- German:
einzeln
adj
- Chinese: 单个的 adj
- Arabic: فَرْدِيّ adj
- Portuguese: individual adj
- Russian: индивидуальный adj индивидуальная
- Croatian: pojedinačan adj pojedinačna
- Czech: individuální adj
- Danish: individuel adj
- Dutch: individueel adj
- Finnish: yksilöllinen adj
- Greek: μεμονωμένος adj μεμονωμένη
- Italian: individuale adj
- Japanese: 個々の no_posp
- Korean: 개인의 adj
- Norwegian: individuell adj
- Polish: indywidualny adj indywidualna
- Brazilian Portuguese: individual adj
- European Spanish:
individual
adj
- Swedish: individuell adj individuellt
- Thai: เฉพาะบุคคล adj
- Turkish: birey adj
- Vietnamese: cá nhân adj
Usage examples
He had never matured into a rounded individual , however dysfunctional.
Val McDermid, THE LAST TEMPTATION (2002)The fleet was off at the first attempt with just a couple of individual recalls.
Yachting Boating World (2004)Some joint press statements may be issued, but each is concentrating on their individual campaigns.
Irish Times (2002)The level of service provided is comprehensive and can be tailored to suit the requirements of individual purchasers.
Glasgow Herald (2001)The Aborigines teach us that to ignore its power is to ignore its capacity to transform the individual.
James Cowan, ABORIGINE DREAMING: Introduction to the Wisdom and Thought of the Aboriginal Traditions of Australia (2002)
