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
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 4 Feb. 2025
Two years ago, during her freshman season, Molly watched Johnny and Noah each qualify for the individual state meet.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2025
Also, in 2023 RSV vaccines for older adults and pregnant people were finally approved, and that may have protected more individuals.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for individual 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Adjective
The 2022-23 Gophers had more individual talent than perhaps any roster that has gathered in Minneapolis, and spent much of the season atop the national rankings.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 4 Feb. 2025
Two years ago, during her freshman season, Molly watched Johnny and Noah each qualify for the individual state meet.
—Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2025
Noun
Set entirely in Linda’s Manhattan apartment, the film freely and imaginatively recreates that long-ago afternoon and the wonderfully discursive exchange between these two singular individuals.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2025
Also, in 2023 RSV vaccines for older adults and pregnant people were finally approved, and that may have protected more individuals.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 4 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for individual
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 13 Feb. 2025.
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
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