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Synonyms

idiosyncratic

American  
[id-ee-oh-sin-krat-ik, -sing-] / ˌɪd i oʊ sɪnˈkræt ɪk, -sɪŋ- /

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 British  
/ ˌɪdɪəʊsɪŋˈkrætɪk /

adjective

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • idiosyncratically adverb

Etymology

Origin of idiosyncratic

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

There were too many styles, too many idiosyncratic approaches to the dramatic poetry.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

The structure of his stream is a bit more idiosyncratic compared to the others I encountered: Williams often holds polls in his live chat, determining what threads he should investigate next.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

One cannot simply look up a price quote for an idiosyncratic loan for which there is no secondary market.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 20, 2026

Even if there is some idiosyncratic risk—say, a stock doubles in price—we aren’t forced to buy it back.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

More important, he knew that Pollard was the jockey best able to protect his horse’s idiosyncratic body from injury.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.