Is there a difference between a man, say in his 20s, who is single and a bachelor?

Bachelor just means unmarried. Single assumes he’s not currently in a relationship at all.

A single man is simply one who thinks he has not found the right girl yet.
A bachelor is the smart man who has already decided that matrimony is not for him.

Whoa! There was a lot of random phrases being thrown around in the wording this question.

What is the actual question? Are you asking what is the difference between being a single man and a bachelor? Or are you asking a different question about how being a bachelor in his 20’s is different than something else? I got lost with the cardsharks and the nude sunbathing parts, did that have something to do with the question?

@kardamom The Card Sharks thing was they always said “We asked 100 bachelors,” and never men or single men. Was just explaining a situation where this was differentiated. Like I was reading a book a few months ago, and the character mentioned something about an early dinner and late supper. I never knew that there was a difference between the two.

The basic question is, is there a difference between a bachelor and single man.

Oh Ok. No there is no difference. The definition of bachelor is a single man. Bachelor is a much more antiquated term and kind of infers that he is “available for marriage” where as the term “single man” doesn’t really have that connotation. A single man could be single by choice or single by circumstances that are beyond his control. And then there is the tongue and cheek term “a confirmed bachelor” which is usually a euphemism for being gay.

My thoughts:
A bachelor is a single gentleman. Bachelors usually have financial security, and are over 25. Certainly they are older than the age of majority. The term bachelor can denote, single and not looking to be married. And also, confusingly, the term can be used for single and looking to be married.

Single usually means, not currently dating exclusively. Although, for legal use single is also means not married.

It’s all about the attitude.

I agree with @everephebe bachelor is typically used for gentlemen with some financial stability and some standing in the community possibly. But, it probably can be used interchangeably with single. I think sometimes people use bachelor for somoene of means who is not married, but it might not clarify not in a relationship, while single would mean not married and not in a relationship.

Yeah, @JLeslie and @everephebe, it’s that nuance thing I was looking for. Like the difference between a dude and a man, or a chick and lady. Like, no matter how you feel about the current President (no matter whom he may be at the time) it really isn’t right or appropriate to refer to him as dude. The vice-President? Maybe. (Just kidding, guys. LOL)

@12Oaks The thing about your examples is some of the terms are considered offensive, disrespectful, or derogatory. Single is not offensive, it is just used in different circles I think.

@JLeslie Oh, I know. Was just trying to come up with something fast we all could understand. You know, two words that kind of mean the same thing, but the differences, while ever ever ever ever ever so slight, are ever ever etc. so important in the definition.