single

This is the most common everyday meaning of 'single'. For people who have never married, use 'never-married' for precision; 'single' covers both never-married and divorced people who are not currently in a relationship. Can also be used as a noun in the plural: 'singles' (see noun sense 5).

Often paired with 'each' or 'every' to stress that every individual member of a group matters separately. Distinguish from sense 1 (ONE): sense 1 counts 'just one' in total, while sense 3 singles out each item in a larger set. Distinguish from sense 4 (SINGLE-SIZE): sense 4 says something is designed for use by one person, not that it is being considered separately.

Only used before nouns describing items that come in different sizes for different numbers of people (beds, rooms, seats, servings). For 'single room' this is also a countable noun (see noun sense 7). Not to be confused with sense 3 (SEPARATE): a 'single bed' is a bed for one person, not a bed that is being considered on its own.

Cricket-specific term. A 'single' is the smallest scoring unit in cricket. Unlike baseball, in cricket a 'single' refers to the run itself, not the hit that produced it. Compare with noun sense 3 (baseball), where a 'single' is the type of hit.

A 'single' is the most common type of base hit in baseball (more frequent than doubles, triples, or home runs). The term 'single' can also be used as a verb (see verb sense 1). Distinguish from noun sense 2 (cricket), where 'single' means the run itself, not the hit.

Usually appears in the plural form 'singles' (e.g., 'women's singles', 'men's singles') when referring to the category or event. The singular 'single' can be used for one specific match, but 'singles match' is more common. Contrast with 'doubles' (two players per side) and 'mixed doubles' (one man and one woman per side).

Used as a plural countable noun to refer to unmarried people as a demographic. Common in commercial and social contexts: 'singles night', 'singles bar', 'singles cruise'. This sense is related to adjective sense 2 (NOT MARRIED). In formal writing, 'unmarried people' or 'single adults' is preferred.

Predominantly British English. In American English, the equivalent is 'one-way ticket'. The opposite is a 'return ticket' (British) or 'round-trip ticket' (American). In British railway and coach booking, 'single' is the standard term.

Often used without 'room' in hotel contexts: 'I'd like a single, please.' Contrast with 'double' (a room with a double bed for two people) and 'twin' (a room with two single beds). Related to adjective sense 4 (SINGLE-SIZE), which is the attributive form before 'bed', 'room', etc.