individuality
noun
in·di·vid·u·al·i·ty
ˌin-də-ˌvi-jə-ˈwa-lə-tē 
plural individualities
1
a
: total character peculiar to and distinguishing an individual from others
Their modernism has a … determined individuality of style, so that no mature artist can be confused with another …—
John Updike
John Updike
b
: personality
a child asserting her individuality
2
: separate or distinct existence
… ants … turn out to have no individuality but are only cells of a colony.—Alison Lurie
Alison Lurie3
: individual, person
4
archaic
: the quality or state of being indivisible
Examples of individuality in a Sentence
She uses her clothing to express her individuality.
materials that highlight the individuality of each piece in the collection
Recent Examples on the Web
One reason for the individuality of many dancers in the late 1950s and early ’60s, de Lavallade says, was the lack of large resident companies.
—Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 8 Feb. 2026
Its subtle character is intended to make the fragrance suitable for a range of environments while preserving a personal, close-to-the-skin quality that reflects the wearer’s individuality.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Designers, on the other hand, appreciate them for their individuality.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026
But Raj and Sophia Laforteza, 23; Daniela Avanzini, 21; Yoonchae Jeung, 18; Manon Bannerman, 23; and Megan Skiendiel, 19, are breaking out of the K-pop mold with a winsome emphasis on individuality and authenticity.
—Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for individuality
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Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 8 Feb. 2026
Its subtle character is intended to make the fragrance suitable for a range of environments while preserving a personal, close-to-the-skin quality that reflects the wearer’s individuality.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Designers, on the other hand, appreciate them for their individuality.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 7 Feb. 2026
But Raj and Sophia Laforteza, 23; Daniela Avanzini, 21; Yoonchae Jeung, 18; Manon Bannerman, 23; and Megan Skiendiel, 19, are breaking out of the K-pop mold with a winsome emphasis on individuality and authenticity.
—Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for individuality
Cite this Entry
“Individuality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/individuality. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
individuality
noun
in·di·vid·u·al·i·ty
ˌin-də-ˌvij-ə-ˈwal-ət-ē
plural individualities
1
: the qualities that make one person or thing different from all others
2
: the quality or state of being an individual
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