sui generis

[ soo-i ge-ne-ris; English soo-ahy jen-er-is, soo-ee ]

adjective

, Latin.

1. of his, her, its, or their own kind; unique.

sui generis

/ ˌsuːaɪ ˈdʒɛnərɪs /

adjective

1. unique

sui generis

1. A person or thing that is unique, in a class by itself: “She is an original artist; each of her paintings is sui generis.” From Latin , meaning “of its own kind.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of sui generis¹

Latin, literally: of its own kind

Example Sentences

Parker was often abrasive, but Crowther considers Parker empathetically, as a sui generis who resisted becoming a cog in the filmmaking machinery.

From Los Angeles Times

When it comes to family vibes, the Trumps are sui generis.

From Los Angeles Times

But in fusing his artistic flair with an encyclopedic knowledge of ocean creatures, he became an invaluable, sui generis figure to conservationists, educators and those curious about sea life.

From New York Times

It’s been nearly two decades since voters elected a Republican governor, the sui generis Arnold Schwarzenegger.

From Los Angeles Times

I can’t claim that I followed the film’s plot, or plots, but anything this sui generis deserves a cheer.

From New York Times

Related Words

• bizarre
• extraordinary
• fantastic
• miraculous
• new
• remarkable
• singular
• uncommon
• unheard-of
• unique
• unparalleled
• unrivaled
• unusual