individuality

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The set of qualities that makes someone different from everyone else.

   Grammar: Uncountable: express your individuality.

   Patterns

   • express your individuality
   • a sense of individuality

   She showed her individuality through her bright clothes.

   The school encourages individuality in art.

   His individuality made him stand out.

2. 2noununcountableformal

   The state of being separate and single rather than part of a group.

   Grammar: Often used in philosophy or biology.

   Patterns

   • the individuality of something

   The philosopher discussed the individuality of each soul.

   The uniform hid his individuality.

   They respected the individuality of every member.

Common combinations

express individuality

Teenagers often express their individuality with hairstyles.

sense of individuality

A strong sense of individuality guided his choices.

personal individuality

Personal individuality matters in creative work.

lose your individuality

Some fear they will lose their individuality in a big team.

celebrate individuality

The festival celebrates individuality.

Synonyms and how they differ

uniqueness

Uniqueness describes being the only one of a kind, while individuality focuses on a person's character.

personality

Personality is the sum of a person's traits, whereas individuality stresses how they differ from others.

originality

Originality is about new ideas, while individuality is about a distinct self.

Opposites

Word family

individual noun

a single person

individual adjective

single, or for one person

individualist noun

a person who acts independently

individualism noun

the belief in personal freedom

individually adverb

one at a time

Commonly confused: individuality or individualism?

Practice

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