What does singlet mean?
A singlet is, in its general sense, a single isolated person or thing. It can describe someone who stands apart from a group, often with the implication that they are alone or unmarried, though this use now sounds literary or old-fashioned. In British, Australian, and New Zealand English, singlet also commonly refers to a sleeveless athletic vest worn beneath clothing or by wrestlers, weightlifters, and other athletes. The word is related to single and emphasizes oneness or isolation. Its two meanings have different social registers: the clothing sense is practical and contemporary, while the sense of an isolated person can sound poetic, formal, or deliberately unusual. A singleton is a related word, but it usually means something unique within a group rather than the person or vest specifically denoted by a singlet.
An isolated person or thing; especially an unmarried person or someone who stands apart from others.
"She remained a singlet in the small coastal community."
This sense is relatively uncommon and has a literary or old-fashioned tone in contemporary English.
A sleeveless vest or undershirt worn for athletic activity, especially wrestling or boxing.
"The referee checked the wrestler's singlet before the bout."
Chiefly used in British, Australian, and New Zealand English.
The plural singlets refers to multiple isolated people or things, or to multiple sleeveless athletic vests.
"Several singlets were hanging in the changing room."
The same word can describe both someone standing alone in a crowd and the sleeveless vest worn by a wrestler.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does singlet come from?
Singlet developed from the English word single with the diminutive suffix -et. It is related to forms such as singular, singly, and simplex, which ultimately reflect the Latin root sing-, meaning one or single. The athletic clothing sense developed later, with the garment named for being a single sleeveless layer worn over the torso.
Related word forms
How singlet is actually used
The athletic sense is especially common in British, Australian, and New Zealand English. The sense meaning an isolated or unmarried person is more literary and uncommon in everyday contemporary use.
Easily confused with singlet
A singleton is an individual item or person that is unique in a group, whereas a singlet can refer to an isolated person or, in some varieties of English, a sleeveless athletic vest.