Singular Nouns: Definition and Examples

A noun is a part of speech that is used to name a person, place, animal, thing or idea. There are many different types of nouns, including singular and plural nouns, common and proper nouns, collective nouns, abstract nouns and so on. Learn more about singular nouns by going through the topics given below.

Table of Contents

• Singular Noun Definition
• Singular Noun Examples
• Singular Noun Examples in Sentences
• Singular Countable Noun
• Singular Possessive Noun
• Difference between Singular and Plural Noun
• Frequently Asked Questions on Singular Nouns

Singular Noun Definition

The definition of a singular noun is similar to that of a noun in general. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a singular noun is ‘a word that refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance, or quality.’ ‘A noun is a word such as ‘ car’, ‘ love’, or ‘ Anne’ which is used to refer to a person or thing,’ according to the Collins Dictionary.

Singular Noun Examples

Have a look at the examples of singular nouns given below.

Singular Nouns Referring to Human Beings

• Boy
• Girl
• Child
• Man
• Woman
• Lad
• Individual
• Chap
• Lass
• Male
• Female
• Citizen
• Tom
• Anna
• Harry

Singular Nouns Referring to Animals

• Cheetah
• Deer
• Fish
• Pelican
• Ostrich
• Dinosaur
• Monkey
• Grasshopper
• Rhinoceros
• Zebra
• Owl

Singular Nouns Referring to Places

• Cairo
• School
• Hospital
• College
• Paris
• Coimbatore
• Bangalore
• St. John’s Medical College
• Hill Crest Hospital
• Twin Towers
• Bus stand
• Railway station

Singular Nouns Referring to Things/Objects

• Table
• Chair
• Blackboard
• Bike
• Aeroplane
• Pencil
• Elastic
• Chalk
• Dress
• Pin
• Needle
• Tomato
• Apple

Singular Nouns Referring to Ideas

• Invention
• Description
• Conviction
• Honesty
• Grace
• Pride
• Destruction
• Competition
• Idea
• Ideology
• Biology
• Evolution

Singular Noun Examples in Sentences

Here are some examples of singular nouns used in sentences.

• Sita bought a pencil yesterday.
• Dan and Sid gave me chocolate.
• Did he get the dress for his sister?
• I saw a baby monkey on the way to school today.
• When will you reach home?
• Jared killed a spider.
• I won the game.
• The Sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
• His honesty was appreciated by everyone in the area.
• The judge accepted his plea.

Singular Countable Noun

Here are a few examples of singular countable nouns:

• Book
• Pencil
• Table
• Phone
• Boy
• Child
• Bird
• Snake
• Door
• Cycle

Singular Possessive Noun

Check out the singular possessive nouns given below.

• Tom’s bike
• Bird’s toy
• Dog’s tail
• Sandra’s mom
• Peter’s cat
• Bike’s handle
• Mr. Shaw’s house
• Deborah’s flower shop
• Pigeon’s Wings
• My sister’s paintbrush

Difference between Singular Noun and Plural Noun

A singular noun refers to only one person, place, animal, thing etc., and a plural noun refers to more than one person, place, animal, thing etc. Singular nouns are nouns in the original form, without any inflexion. Plural nouns are formed with the addition of ‘s’, ‘es’, ‘ies’, ‘oes’, ‘ves’ or by adding a suffix. The verbs change according to the singular or plural form of the noun used.