individually

UK: /ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒuəli/ US: (in′də vij′o̅o̅ ə lē)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•di•vid•u•al•ly  (in′də vij′o̅o̅ ə lē), adv. 

1. one at a time;
   separately:
   The delegates were introduced individually.
2. personally:
   Each of us is individually responsible.
3. in an individual or personally unique manner:
   Her interpretation was individually conceived.

• individual + -ly 1590–1600

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•di•vid•u•al /ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒuəl/   n. [countable]

1. a single human being, as distinguished from a group:
   the freedom of each individual.
2. a person:
   Several unidentified individuals approached the speaker.

adj. [before a noun]

3. single;
   particular;
   separate:
   each individual child.
4. intended for the use of one person only:
   individual portions.
5. of or characteristic of a particular person or thing:
   individual tastes.

in•di•vid•u•al•ly, adv.: 

individually wrapped pieces of chocolate.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•di•vid•u•al  (in′də vij′o̅o̅ əl), n. 

1. a single human being, as distinguished from a group.
2. a person:
   a strange individual.
3. a distinct, indivisible entity;
   a single thing, being, instance, or item.
4. a group considered as a unit.
5. Biology
   • a single organism capable of independent existence.
   • a member of a compound organism or colony.
6. Games [Cards.] a duplicate-bridge tournament in which each player plays the same number of hands in partnership with every other player, individual scores for each player being kept for each hand.

adj. 

7. single;
   particular;
   separate:
   to number individual copies of a limited edition.
8. intended for the use of one person only:
   to serve individual portions of a pizza.
9. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a particular person or thing:
   individual tastes.
10. distinguished by special, singular, or markedly personal characteristics;
    exhibiting unique or unusual qualities:
    a highly individual style of painting.
11. existing as a distinct, indivisible entity, or considered as such;
    discrete:
    individual parts of a tea set.
12. of which each is different or of a different design from the others:
    a set of individual coffee cups.

• Medieval Latin indīviduālis, equivalent. to Latin indīvidu(us) indivisible (in- in-³ + dīvid(ere) to divide + -uus deverbal adjective, adjectival suffix) + -ālis -al¹
• late Middle English 1375–1425

Synonyms

• 2. See person. 

Usage

1, 2. As a synonym for person, individual is standard, occurring in all varieties of speech and writing:
Three individuals entered the room, each carrying a sheaf of papers.
Some object to this use, insisting that individual can mean only "a single human being, as distinguished from a group'':
An individual may have concerns that are ignored by his or her party.