idiosyncrasy

[ id-ee-uh-sing-kruh-see, -sin- ]

noun

, plural id·i·o·syn·cra·sies.

1. a characteristic, habit, mannerism, or the like, that is peculiar to an individual.

   Synonyms: quirk, peculiarity

2. the physical constitution peculiar to an individual.
3. a peculiarity of the physical or the mental constitution, especially susceptibility toward drugs, food, etc. Compare allergy ( def 1 ).

idiosyncrasy

/ ˌɪdɪəʊˈsɪŋkrəsɪ /

noun

1. a tendency, type of behaviour, mannerism, etc, of a specific person; quirk
2. the composite physical or psychological make-up of a specific person
3. an abnormal reaction of an individual to specific foods, drugs, or other agents

Other Words From

• id·i·o·syn·crat·ic [id-ee-oh-sin-, krat, -ik, -sing-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of idiosyncrasy¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Greek idiosynkrāsía, equivalent to idio- idio- + syn- syn- + krâs(is) “a blending” + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of idiosyncrasy¹

C17: from Greek idiosunkrasia, from idio- + sunkrasis mixture, temperament, from sun- syn- + kerannunai to mingle

Synonym Study

See eccentricity.

Example Sentences

The blessing is that Buckley, Colman, Spall, and Vasan are expert enough that dimensional character work still peeks through the vibe of cookie-cutter idiosyncrasy.

From Los Angeles Times

No idiosyncrasy is too singular for him to wrestle into submission – and over three seasons of the Syfy series, he’s bear-hugged a lot of them.

From Salon

We may not be artists, but we can live like we are: We can remember that idiosyncrasy, and our unabashed embrace of it, is the true way to live well.

From New York Times

At times the latter has been in strict alignment with hip-hop’s center; sometimes it has taken her to pop excess; at other moments, it has found her pursuing a path of rap idiosyncrasy.

From New York Times

The best of Roth’s scripts have the expanse and idiosyncrasy of a novel and inspire indelible moments.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• eccentricity
• mannerism
• peculiarity
• trait