in·di·vid·u·al
ˌin-də-ˈvi-jə-wəl 
-ˈvij-wəl,
-ˈvi-jəl,
-ˈvi-jü-əl
1
a
: of, relating to, or distinctively associated with an individual
an individual effort
b
: intended for one person
an individual serving
c
: being an individual or existing as an indivisible whole
2
: having marked individuality
an individual style
3
: existing as a distinct entity : separate
4
obsolete
: inseparable
individually
adverb
1
a
: a particular being or thing as distinguished from a class, species, or collection: such as
(1)
: a single human being as contrasted with a social group or institution
a teacher who works with individuals
(2)
: a single organism as distinguished from a group
b
: a particular person
are you the individual I spoke with on the telephone?
2
: an indivisible entity
3
: the reference of a name or variable of the lowest logical type in a calculus
Synonyms
Examples of individual in a Sentence
Adjective
What are the individual traits of the breed?
The doctor carefully evaluates the individual needs of her patients.
Students will receive as much individual attention as possible.
She has a very individual style of writing.
a pattern as individual as a fingerprint
Noun
They promote a philosophy that sacrifices the rights of the individual for the public welfare.
They are both rather odd individuals.
Are you the individual I spoke with on the telephone?
She's a very talented individual.
The markings on tigers are unique to each individual.
Recent Examples on the Web
Imani Perry Janina Edwards Krish Seenivasan Devin Murphy, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
The lesson of these tales, relayed in the backyard between Stool Pigeon’s house and King and Ruby’s, is one of helpless interdependence in a world that is just too small and too chaotic for individual kingdoms.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
As surprising as this now seems, until 1960, several of the U.S. military branches had their own individual plans for nuclear war.
—Annie Jacobsen, TIME, 11 Apr. 2024
State wildlife experts believe there are about 1,200 individual bears in the state.
—Ryan Chelius, Field & Stream, 11 Apr. 2024
By replicating real-life situations, the app enables users to develop practical language skills that adapt to individual learners’ needs and proficiency levels in bite-size increments that fit into any lifestyle.
—Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2024
Get The Recipe 16 of 28 Buttermilk-Lime Mini Cakes with Vanilla-Mascarpone Buttercream
These cute, individual cakes can be covered and refrigerated until mom arrives.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024
Its price varies by location. $20 Family Meal — six pieces of chicken (two drums, two thighs, one breast and one wing), four individual sides and four biscuits.
—The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2024
The hideout boasted more than 1,000 bunk beds, a 400-seat cafeteria, individual auditoriums for both the Senate and the House of Representatives, vast water tanks, and a trash incinerator that could serve as a crematorium.
—Emily Matchar, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024
Melissa Noel, Essence, 12 Apr. 2024
That average age of onset for the disease is in an individual’s early 60s.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
For example, individuals and businesses that were hit by the severe storms and tornadoes in parts of Michigan last August now have until June 17 to file their income tax returns.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2024
This is the web version of CFO Daily, a newsletter on the trends and individuals shaping corporate finance.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
Two individuals were treated at the scene of the accident by Dallas Fire Rescue for minor injuries.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
But even for individuals who just plan to walk or hike, toe splay is important for balance.
—Laura Lancaster, Outdoor Life, 11 Apr. 2024
First, individuals and families apply for WIC benefits.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
To keep fish populations sustainable, fisheries must ensure that enough breeding individuals are either left alone or released back into the wild.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Apr. 2024
Adjective
If her corpus is a circle of redwoods, they’re joined at the root by her commitment to depicting Black life with historical and cultural specificity, and to understanding history’s absurd impact on individual lives.
—Imani Perry Janina Edwards Krish Seenivasan Devin Murphy, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
The lesson of these tales, relayed in the backyard between Stool Pigeon’s house and King and Ruby’s, is one of helpless interdependence in a world that is just too small and too chaotic for individual kingdoms.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024
As surprising as this now seems, until 1960, several of the U.S. military branches had their own individual plans for nuclear war.
—Annie Jacobsen, TIME, 11 Apr. 2024
State wildlife experts believe there are about 1,200 individual bears in the state.
—Ryan Chelius, Field & Stream, 11 Apr. 2024
By replicating real-life situations, the app enables users to develop practical language skills that adapt to individual learners’ needs and proficiency levels in bite-size increments that fit into any lifestyle.
—Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 10 Apr. 2024
Get The Recipe 16 of 28 Buttermilk-Lime Mini Cakes with Vanilla-Mascarpone Buttercream
These cute, individual cakes can be covered and refrigerated until mom arrives.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2024
Its price varies by location. $20 Family Meal — six pieces of chicken (two drums, two thighs, one breast and one wing), four individual sides and four biscuits.
—The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2024
The hideout boasted more than 1,000 bunk beds, a 400-seat cafeteria, individual auditoriums for both the Senate and the House of Representatives, vast water tanks, and a trash incinerator that could serve as a crematorium.
—Emily Matchar, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Apr. 2024
Noun
Two individuals were treated at the scene for minor injuries and two others were transported to the hospitalfor minor injuries as well.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 12 Apr. 2024
That average age of onset for the disease is in an individual’s early 60s.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
For example, individuals and businesses that were hit by the severe storms and tornadoes in parts of Michigan last August now have until June 17 to file their income tax returns.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2024
This is the web version of CFO Daily, a newsletter on the trends and individuals shaping corporate finance.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2024
Two individuals were treated at the scene of the accident by Dallas Fire Rescue for minor injuries.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
But even for individuals who just plan to walk or hike, toe splay is important for balance.
—Laura Lancaster, Outdoor Life, 11 Apr. 2024
First, individuals and families apply for WIC benefits.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
To keep fish populations sustainable, fisheries must ensure that enough breeding individuals are either left alone or released back into the wild.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'individual.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to individual
Dictionary Entries Near individual
Cite this Entry
“Individual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/individual. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
individual
1 of 2 adjective
in·di·vid·u·al
ˌin-də-ˈvij-(ə-)wəl
-ˈvij-əl
1
: of or relating to an individual
individual traits
2
: intended for one person
individual servings
3
: particular entry 1 sense 1, separate
individual copies
4
: having a special quality : distinct
an individual style
individually
adverb
-ē
individual
2 of 2 noun1
: a single member of a class, species, or collection
2
: a single human being
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share