individual

 
Pronunciation: /ɪndɪˈvɪdjʊ(ə)l/

adjective

  • 1 [attributive] single; separate: individual tiny flowers
  • 2of or for a particular person: the individual needs of the children
  • designed for use by one person: a casserole served in individual portions
  • characteristic of a particular person or thing: she was surprised at how individual the others' bodies were
  • having a striking or unusual character; original: she creates her own, highly individual landscapes

noun

  • a single human being as distinct from a group: boat trips for parties and individuals
  • a single member of a class: they live in a group or as individuals, depending on the species
  • [with adjective] informal a person of a specified kind: the most selfish, egotistical individual I have ever met
  • a distinctive or original person.

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'indivisible'): from medieval Latin individualis, from Latin individuus, from in- 'not' + dividuus 'divisible' (from dividere 'to divide')