eccentric

[ ik-sen-trik, ek- ]

adjective

1. deviating from the recognized or customary character, practice, etc.; irregular; erratic; peculiar; odd:

   eccentric conduct;

   an eccentric person.

   Synonyms: bizarre, weird, strange

   Antonyms: conventional, customary, ordinary, regular, normal

2. Geometry. not having the same center; not concentric: used especially of two circles or spheres at least one of which contains the centers of both.
3. (of an axis, axle, etc.) not situated in the center.
4. Machinery. having the axis or support away from the center:

   an eccentric wheel.

5. Astronomy. deviating from a circular form, as an elliptic orbit.

noun

1. a person who has an unusual, peculiar, or odd personality, set of beliefs, or behavior pattern.
2. something that is unusual, peculiar, or odd.
3. Machinery. a device for converting circular motion into rectilinear motion, consisting of a disk fixed somewhat off-center to a revolving shaft, and working freely in a surrounding collar eccentricstrap, to which a rod eccentricrod is attached.

eccentric

/ ɪkˈsɛntrɪk /

adjective

1. deviating or departing from convention, esp in a bizarre manner; irregular or odd
2. situated away from the centre or the axis
3. not having a common centre Compare concentric

   eccentric circles

4. not precisely circular

noun

1. a person who deviates from normal forms of behaviour, esp in a bizarre manner
2. a device for converting rotary motion to reciprocating motion

Derived Forms

• ecˈcentrically, adverb

Other Words From

• ec·centri·cal adjective
• ec·centri·cal·ly adverb
• nonec·centric adjective
• nonec·centri·cal·ly adverb
• unec·centric adjective
• unec·centri·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of eccentric¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Medieval Latin eccentricus, from Greek ékkentr(os) “out of center” ( ec-, center ) + Latin -icus -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of eccentric¹

C16: from Medieval Latin eccentricus, from Greek ekkentros out of centre, from ek- ex- ¹+ kentron centre

Example Sentences

The eccentric billionaire, who shared a Photoshopped image of himself carrying a sink into the Oval Office, has been a vocal supporter of Trump, who defeated Vice President Kamala Harris to win the White House.

From Los Angeles Times

Alito’s choice to become a knight in the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, an order led by fringe Italian monarchists, is not mere eccentric cosplay, although it is certainly also that.

From Slate

Does a small-scale human drama now qualify as an eccentric, unclassifiable studio release?

From Los Angeles Times

Mainly, she took guest roles on dozens of shows, including playing the eccentric birth mother of Lisa Kudrow’s character, Phoebe, on NBC’s “Friends” in the late 1990s.

From Los Angeles Times

As CEO of teen retailer Abercrombie & Fitch, Mike Jeffries was described to me as an eccentric and superstitious genius who, with his highlighted hair and penchant for flip-flops and plastic surgery, personified the youthful All-American brand he created.

From BBC

Related Words

• freak
• hippie
• loner
• maverick
• oddball
• oddity