individual Definition

individual
adj

1. Intended for or relating to a single person or thing.

Example: jam served in individual portions
Example: unable to give students individual attention
Thesaurus: separate, specific, personal, discrete, particular, singular, peculiar, definite, own, lone, distinctive, exclusive, separate, sole; Antonym: collective, public, general.
2. Particular to one person; showing or having a particular person's unique qualities or characteristics.

Example: The room reflects her individual taste
Example: has a very individual talent
Thesaurus: unusual, different, unique, singular, uncommon, peculiar.
3. Separate; single.

Example: checks every individual item for quality

noun

1. A particular person, animal or thing, especially in contrast to the group to which it belongs.

Example: The lions select the weakest individual as their prey
Example: a society which respects the rights of the individual
2. colloq
A person
Example: What an offensive individual!
Thesaurus: person, being, character, creature, soul, mortal.

Derivative: individually
adverb

Separately or singly
Thesaurus: separately, independently, singly, particularly; Antonym: together.

Etymology: 15c: from Latin individualis, from individuus indivisible.