EtymologyMap
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Today it means

single

only one, individual, or not in a romantic relationship

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Where does the word "single" come from? It comes from Latin singulus, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

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Where does the word "single" come from? It comes from Latin singulus, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Single’s story begins in Latin: singulus meant “one at a time, individual.” The root of 'singular'. It reached English by 1300s as single. Settled as the English word for only one, or unmarried. Today, single means only one, individual, or not in a romantic relationship.

  1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient singulus "one at a time, individual", the root of 'singular'.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s single "only one, or not married", settled as the English word for only one, or unmarried.

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