What does singly mean?
Singly is an adverb meaning in a single manner, especially one at a time or individually. It is used when actions or units occur separately rather than together: tickets may be sold singly, and guests may enter singly. In another use, it means by oneself, without assistance, as when someone accomplishes a task singly. The word has a precise, formal tone and is less frequent in casual conversation than alternatives such as individually, separately, or alone. It is especially useful in contexts involving single units, group membership, independent action, and the contrast between individual and collective activity. Although its basic sense is straightforward, singly can carry different connotations depending on the sentence: describing separate individuals often suggests independence, while describing someone acting alone may suggest either self-sufficiency or lack of support.
In a single manner; individually or one at a time.
"The applications must be submitted singly."
This is the most common modern sense and is especially used with tickets, items, applications, and people.
By oneself, without assistance or in isolation.
"He had to complete the journey singly."
This sense is less common and may suggest independence, solitude, or the absence of help.
Singly turns the idea of one into an action: it describes how something happens when people or things do it one at a time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does singly come from?
Singly is an English adverb formed from single with the suffix -ly. The adjective single ultimately comes through Old French single from Latin singulus, meaning “one” or “individual.” Related English words such as singular, singleton, and singularity preserve the same Latin root, although their meanings and grammatical forms have developed differently.
How singly is actually used
Singly is formal and less common in everyday speech than individually or separately. It can also mean alone, as in doing something singly, although this use may suggest self-reliance or isolation depending on context.
Easily confused with singly
Single is an adjective or noun meaning one rather than more, whereas singly is an adverb describing an action performed individually or one at a time.