adjective · neutral

single

/ˈsɪŋɡəl/SINGLE

Band 5-6speakingtask1task2

Not married; not in a romantic partnership.

Examples

She's been single for three years and is focusing on her studies.

As a single parent, he manages both work and childcare alone.

Many young adults prefer to stay single until they are financially stable.

Band 8 sentence

Although many of my peers are settling down, I prefer to remain single until I'm financially secure and emotionally ready.

Collocations

  • single mother/father
  • single person
  • remain single

Word family

single adjective / nounsingleness nounsingle-handed adjective / adverb

Common mistakes

He is a single.He is single. / He is a single man.

She is single mother.She is a single mother.

I feel single.I feel lonely. / I am single.

Say it for a higher band

5not married6unmarried7+single

Synonyms

unmarried

alone

Easily confused

alone

Even though he lives with roommates, he sometimes feels alone.

unmarried

She was officially unmarried when she filled in the form.

Related words

Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.

In Family & Relationships

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