idiosyncratic

[ id-ee-oh-sin-krat-ik, -sing- ]

adjective

1. pertaining to the nature of idiosyncrasy, or something peculiar to an individual:

   The best minds are idiosyncratic and unpredictable as they follow the course of scientific discovery.

idiosyncratic

/ ˌɪdɪəʊsɪŋˈkrætɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to idiosyncrasy; characteristic of a specific person

Derived Forms

• ˌidiosynˈcratically, adverb

Other Words From

• idi·o·syn·crati·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of idiosyncratic¹

First recorded in 1750–60; equivalent to idio- ( def ) + Greek sýnkrat(os) “closely united” + -ic ( def ); syn- ( def ), crater

Example Sentences

Lawson is attuned to the idiosyncratic character’s maximalist-leaning tastes and how suspects and cops view her.

From Los Angeles Times

By relying on an idiosyncratic definition of the word that does not appear in federal law, Oldham was able to decree that late-arriving ballots are not “cast” on time.

From Slate

The industrial food supply will be the last bastion of the luxury economy, and we might mirror the cannibals in doomsday movies before we cede our idiosyncratic eating habits to austerity.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2020, Gascón’s idiosyncratic public presence mattered little compared with his vision for the district attorney’s office.

From Los Angeles Times

Turns out Allen was right about being wrong: Nine years after she graduated from Berklee to become a professional songwriter in Los Angeles, Allen, 32, has built a career penning idiosyncratic pop hits that people — many millions of them — can’t stop listening to.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• characteristic
• distinctive
• individual
• peculiar
• singular
• specific
• unique