individual

in-di-vid-u-al · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A single human being as distinct from a group.

  2. 2.

    A person of a specified character.

  3. 3.

    Single; separate.

  4. 4.

    Of or for a particular person.

  5. 5.

    Distinctive; unique.

Forms

plural: individuals

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    individual rights — rights belonging to each person
  • •
    individual differences — variations between people
  • •
    on an individual basis — separately for each person

Related words

Antonyms: collective, group
See also: person, personal, single, unique
Synonyms: distinct, human being, person, single

Etymology

From Medieval Latin "individualis," from Latin "individuus" (indivisible), from "in-" (not) + "dividuus" (divisible), from "dividere" (to divide). Originally meant "indivisible" before coming to mean "single, separate."