Individual: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ‘ค
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individual

 

[ ษชndษชหˆvษชdส’สŠษ™l ]

Noun / Adjective
Oxford 3000 Other
Context #1 | Noun

person

A single human being, as opposed to a group.

Synonyms

human being, individual person, person.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
individual

This word is often used to emphasize someone's distinctness or independence. It is commonly found in formal or professional settings.

  • Each individual in the team has a unique skill set
  • The study focused on the behaviors of individuals in the workplace
person

This is a general term applicable in most situations where referring to a human, often used in everyday language and informal settings.

  • She's a very kind person
  • There's only one person left in the building
individual person

This phrase is not commonly used and can sound redundant. When it is used, it emphasizes the personal identity or characteristics of someone.

  • Each patient is an individual person and should be treated as such
  • It's important to recognize the unique needs of every individual person
human being

Used to underscore the humanity, emotions, and moral aspects of a person. This term often appears in contexts that deal with ethics, rights, or the shared human experience.

  • Every human being deserves respect and dignity
  • As human beings, we have a responsibility to protect the environment

Examples of usage

  • Each individual is unique in their own way.
  • The company values each individual employee's contribution.
Context #2 | Adjective

characteristic

Relating to a single person or thing, as opposed to a group or class.

Synonyms

distinct, personal, unique.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
individual

Use when referring to a single person or thing, especially to emphasize their separate existence or identity.

  • Each individual must complete the form on their own.
  • She is a very interesting individual with many unique talents.
unique

Ideal for describing something that is one of a kind or unlike anything else.

  • Each child has a unique fingerprint.
  • Her style of painting is truly unique.
distinct

Best used when describing something that is clearly different or separate from others.

  • There are several distinct types of plants in the garden.
  • His voice has a very distinct sound.
personal

Appropriate when referring to something that relates to a specific personโ€™s private or intimate aspects.

  • She keeps a personal journal where she writes about her thoughts.
  • He shared some personal information about his life.

Examples of usage

  • She has her own individual style.
  • Each student is encouraged to develop their individual talents.
Context #3 | Adjective

specificity

Designed for or belonging to one particular person or thing.

Synonyms

customized, personalized, tailored.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
individual

Used to describe a single person, item, or entity as unique or distinct. It's often used in formal or neutral settings.

  • Each student will receive an individual assessment.
  • She is an individual with unique talents.
personalized

Describes something made or done to match someone's individual preferences or needs. Commonly used in marketing, service industries, and self-improvement.

  • She received a personalized gift with her name on it.
  • Our app provides a personalized experience based on user behavior.
customized

Refers to something that has been modified or created to meet particular specifications or needs. Often used in business, marketing, or tech contexts.

  • We offer customized solutions for our clients.
  • This software package can be customized to meet your company's requirements.
tailored

Covers items or services specifically designed to fit particular requirements or needs. Often used in fashion, consulting, and services.

  • He wore a tailored suit to the interview.
  • Our services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each client.

Examples of usage

  • The hotel offers individual room temperature controls.
  • Each employee has their individual login credentials.

Translations

Translations of the word "individual" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น individual

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคตเฅเคฏเค•เฅเคคเคฟ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Individuum

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ individu

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั–ะฝะดะธะฒั–ะดัƒัƒะผ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ osoba

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅ€‹ไบบ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท individu

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ individuo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท birey

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฐœ์ธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูุฑุฏ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ jedinec

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ jedinec

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ไธชไฝ“

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ posameznik

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ einstaklingur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถะตะบะต ั‚าฑะปา“ะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ˜แƒœแƒ“แƒ˜แƒ•แƒ˜แƒ“แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ลŸษ™xs

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ individuo

Etymology

The word 'individual' originated from the Medieval Latin word 'individualis', which means 'indivisible'. It entered the English language in the 15th century. The concept of individuality has been a central theme in philosophy and psychology, emphasizing the unique characteristics and identity of each person. The term has evolved to encompass not only a single person but also the idea of distinctiveness and personalization in various contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

With position #298, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.