Sole vs. single: what’s the difference?
The short answer
Sole often emphasizes being the only one or exclusive in a particular situation, and is more formal. Single can mean just one, without reference to exclusivity, and is used in a wider range of contexts.
What they have in common
Both sole and single refer to there being only one of something, indicating uniqueness or exclusivity.
Examples
sole
- She was the sole survivor of the accident.
- He is the sole owner of the business.
single
- She bought a single ticket to the show.
- Not a single person agreed with the plan.
Which one is more common?
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