individual

Individual is part of the Academic Word List. It is important for students in college and university.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˌɪndɪˈvɪʤuəl/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

Adjective

Positive individual

Comparative more individual

Superlative most individual

1. An individual person or thing is looked at separately from others.

   This office assists whole families rather than individual family members.

2. An individual right, need, etc. belongs to one person, not to a group.

   The government should protect not only individual rights but also group values.

Synonyms

• single
• separate

Antonyms

• common
• collective
• overall

Related words

• individually
• individuality
• individualism
• individualized
• individualist
• individualistic

Noun

Singular individual

Plural individuals

1. An individual is a single person, looked at separately from others.
   • Synonym: unit
   • Antonym: group

   One of the most difficult parts of growing up is learning to form your own ideas--to become an individual.

   A country must balance the rights of individuals with the rights of groups.