How Do You Spell SINGLY?

Pronunciation: [sˈɪŋɡlɪ] (IPA)

Singly is a common English word that can be used as an adverb or an adjective, meaning "individually," "one by one," or "separately." The word's spelling follows a simple phonetic pattern, with the stress falling on the first syllable /ˈsɪŋɡli/. The word begins with an unvoiced sibilant /s/ followed by a short vowel /ɪ/, and ends with a nasal /ŋ/, making it easy to pronounce once you understand the individual sounds that make it up. Whether written or spoken, singly is a straightforward and useful word for describing individual actions or qualities.

SINGLY Meaning and Definition

  1. Singly is an adverb that primarily means "individually" or "separately." It refers to doing something or considering something one at a time, without any companions or in isolation. Additionally, it can emphasize the sole or exclusive involvement of a single person or thing in a particular action or situation.

    When used in the context of actions or tasks, singly implies carrying out actions independently or one by one, without any assistance or collaboration. For example, a person might tackle a challenging project singly, taking personal responsibility for each step.

    In terms of considerations or judgments, singly suggests evaluating or examining items or criteria individually, rather than collectively or as a whole. For instance, a committee might assess a list of candidates singly, examining each applicant's qualifications independently before reaching a decision.

    Moreover, singly can underscore the exclusiveness or uniqueness of a single entity among others. This meaning is often associated with the phrase "the one and only." For instance, a record-breaking achievement can be referred to as the singly most impressive accomplishment in a particular field.

    Overall, singly functions as an adverb that indicates actions or considerations carried out individually or separately, without companions or collaboration. It emphasizes the concept of "one at a time" and can highlight the unique or exclusive nature of a single person or thing in a given context.

  2. Individually; only; by himself.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for SINGLY *

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Other Common Misspellings for SINGLY

Etymology of SINGLY

The word singly derives from the Old English word singlian, which means to make one. It comes from the Proto-Germanic root *singilaz, which carries the sense of single. The word can further be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root *sem- or *sm- meaning one or alone. Over time, the word singly evolved in Middle English to its current form, retaining its fundamental meaning of individually or one by one.

Idioms with the word SINGLY

  • Misfortunes never come singly. The idiom "Misfortunes never come singly" means that bad things or unfortunate events tend to occur together or in rapid succession. It emphasizes the idea that when one misfortune happens, it is often followed by additional hardships or setbacks.

Similar spelling words for SINGLY