individual

[ in-duh-vij-oo-uhl ]

noun

1. a single human being, as distinguished from a group.
2. a person:

   A strange individual came around asking if we wanted to buy any lamps.

3. a distinct, indivisible entity; a single thing, being, instance, or item.
4. a group considered as a unit.
5. Biology.
   1. a single organism capable of independent existence.
   2. a member of a compound organism or colony.
6. Cards. a duplicate-bridge tournament in which each player plays the same number of hands in partnership with every other player, individual scores for each player being kept for each hand.

adjective

1. single; particular; separate:

   It's standard practice to number individual copies of a limited edition.

2. intended for the use of one person only:

   Servers handed out individual portions of a pizza to guests at the party.

3. of, relating to, or characteristic of a particular person or thing:

   The decor was highly reflective of his individual tastes.

4. distinguished by special, singular, or markedly personal characteristics; exhibiting unique or unusual qualities:

   She was known for her highly individual style of painting.

5. existing as a distinct, indivisible entity, or considered as such; discrete:

   It can be difficult to replace individual parts of a tea set if one breaks.

6. belonging to a set or group of which each is different or of a different design from the others:

   For Christmas they got a set of individual coffee cups.

individual

/ ˌɪndɪˈvɪdjʊəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, characteristic of, or meant for a single person or thing
2. separate or distinct, esp from others of its kind; particular

   please mark the individual pages

3. characterized by unusual and striking qualities; distinctive
4. obsolete.
   indivisible; inseparable

noun

1. a single person, esp when regarded as distinct from others
2. biology
   1. a single animal or plant, esp as distinct from a species
   2. a single member of a compound organism or colony
3. logic
   1. Also calledparticular an object as opposed to a property or class
   2. an element of the domain of discourse of a theory

Usage Note

As a synonym for person, individual is standard, occurring in all varieties of speech and writing: Three individuals entered the room, each carrying a sheaf of papers. Some object to this use, insisting that individual can mean only “a single human being, as distinguished from a group”: An individual may have concerns that are ignored by their party.

Derived Forms

• ˌindiˈvidually, adverb

Other Words From

• inter·indi·vidu·al adjective
• nonin·di·vidu·al adjective
• super·indi·vidu·al adjective noun
• super·indi·vidu·al·ly adverb
• transin·di·vidu·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of individual¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin indīviduālis, equivalent to Latin indīviduus “indivisible” (from in- negative prefix + dīviduus “divided or divisible into two parts”) + -ālis adjective suffix; in- ³, divide, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of individual¹

C15: from Medieval Latin indīviduālis, from Latin indīviduus indivisible, from in- ¹+ dīviduus divisible, from dīvidere to divide

Synonym Study

See person.

Example Sentences

"Each gene was like a single word. However, there was a piece of critical information lacking: transcription initiation sites for individual genes."

From Science Daily

A 2023 report by Duke University revealed that data brokers were selling sensitive data on individuals’ mental health conditions on the open market.

From Los Angeles Times

Until that becomes clearer, individuals should be cautious about making rash purchasing decisions.

From Salon

The commission's report said there was "no bar on individuals who have previously worked for political parties or made political donations becoming civil servants".

From BBC

The project so far has looked at more than 100 million cells – deeply analysing each individual one - from 10,000 people around the world.

From BBC

Related Words

• child
• entity
• human being
• man
• party
• person
• woman