WordVale

single out

to select for special attention

In Phrasal Verbs

In more detail

1. (verb) to choose or identify someone or something from a group for special attention, praise, or criticism

2. (verb) to separate or distinguish one person or thing from others

Examples

• 1. The teacher singled out Maria's essay for praise.
• 2. It's hard to single out just one favorite among all these options.

How to use single out

Single out is a phrasal verb meaning to choose or identify someone or something from a group, often implying that person or thing receives special or notable treatment. It is frequently used in both positive contexts (singled out for an award) and negative ones (singled out for blame). The verb emphasizes the act of separating one item from many others, making it distinct or conspicuous.

Common phrases

• single out for praise
• single out for criticism
• single out as
• be singled out
• single someone out

Synonyms

single out · pick out · identify · distinguish · isolate

A common mistake

Learners sometimes try to use it as a single word (singled out is correct, but *'single-out' or *'singledout' as one word are not standard) or forget that it requires an object and often a reason or purpose introduced by 'for' or 'as'.

Nearby in Phrasal Verbs

reach out, scale back, shrug off, tone down, weed out

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained