Basic Details
Word: Individuality
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The qualities that make one person or thing different from all others.
Synonyms: uniqueness, distinctiveness, originality, character
Antonyms: sameness, conformity, uniformity
How to Spell Individuality
Syllables: in - di - vid - u - al - i - ty
Tricky part: The word has four i's, the middle is vid (not ved), and the l is single before -ity.
Watch out for: individuallity, indevidiality, individualty
Memory tip: The word dual is tucked inside: indivi-DUAL-ity. Write indivi, then dual, then ity.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Each student's painting showed real individuality, though they all painted the same lake.
Example 2: The architect wanted every house on the street to keep some individuality.
Example 3: Her laugh, loud and sudden, was part of her individuality.
Fun Fact
To the Romans, individuus meant something that could not be divided, and that is how a single person came to be called an individual.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
individuallity
a) d
b) u
c) l
d) t
Show answer
c) l. Individual ends in one l, and -ity is added without doubling it.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word individuality as used in the sentence:
The school's strict rules on hair and uniform leave little room for individuality.
a) uniqueness
b) conformity
c) freedom
d) discipline
Show answer
b) conformity. Conformity means everyone being the same, the opposite of individuality; uniqueness means the same thing as it.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. individuality 2. persinality 3. identaty 4. charachter
a) the whole of a person's nature and behaviour
b) the mental and moral qualities of a person
c) who or what a person is
d) the qualities that make a person different from others
Show answer
d) the qualities that make a person different from others. Personality has son in the middle, identity has an i before ty, and character has no second h.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A singer who shows individuality ____.
a) copies a famous singer exactly
b) never performs in public
c) has a style that is clearly her own
d) sings only in a choir
Show answer
c) has a style that is clearly her own
2. Dressing in a style that is all your own is a way of showing ____.
a) politeness
b) obedience
c) laziness
d) individuality
Show answer
d) individuality
