Being only one of a larger population; single, individual.
Understanding singular
• Being the only one of the kind; unique.
• Distinguished by superiority: peerless, unmatched, eminent, exceptional, extraordinary.
• Out of the ordinary; curious.
• Referring to only one thing or person.
• Having no inverse.
• Having the property that the matrix of coefficients of the new variables has a determinant equal to zero.
• Not equal to its own cofinality.
• Each; individual.
• Engaged in by only one on a side; single.
(Noun) A form of a word that refers to only one person or thing.
• That which is not general; a specific determinate instance.
How singular affects you
singular appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
The mechanics of singular
In practice, singular is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.