eclectic

American  

[ih-klek-tik] / ɪˈklɛk tɪk /

adjective

1. selecting or choosing from various sources.

2. made up of what is selected from different sources.

3. not following any one system, as of philosophy, medicine, etc., but selecting and using what are considered the best elements of all systems.

4. noting or pertaining to works of architecture, decoration, landscaping, etc., produced by a certain person or during a certain period, that derive from a wide range of historic styles, the style in each instance often being chosen for its fancied appropriateness to local tradition, local geography, the purpose to be served, or the cultural background of the client.

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noun

1. Also eclecticist a person who follows an eclectic method, as in philosophy or architecture.

eclectic British  

/ ɪˈklɛktɪk, ɛˈklɛk- /

adjective

1. (in art, philosophy, etc) selecting what seems best from various styles, doctrines, ideas, methods, etc

2. composed of elements drawn from a variety of sources, styles, etc

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noun

1. a person who favours an eclectic approach, esp in art or philosophy

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• uneclectically
  adverb
• uneclectic
  adjective
• eclectically
  adverb
• noneclectic
  adjective
• noneclectically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of eclectic

First recorded in 1675–85; from Greek eklektikós “selective,” from eklekt(ós) “chosen, selected” (past participle of eklég(ein) “to pick out, choose,” from ek- ec- ( def. ) + légein “to pick up, gather, count, speak”; cf. dialect ( def. )) + -ikos -ic

Explanation

She listens to hip-hop, Gregorian chant, and folk music from the '60s. He's been seen wearing a handmade tuxedo jacket over a thrift-store flannel shirt. They both have eclectic tastes. The English word eclectic first appeared in the seventeenth century to describe philosophers who did not belong to a particular school of thought, but instead assembled their doctrines by picking and choosing from a variety of philosophical systems. Today, the word can refer to any assemblage of varied parts. You can have an eclectic group of friends (friends from diverse groups), eclectic taste in furniture (a mixture of 18th-century French chairs, Andy Warhol paintings, and Persian rugs), or enjoy eclectic cuisine (fusion cooking that uses ingredients from different national cuisines).

Example Sentences

Eclectic, artistic and unusual, all reflect the mind and manners of Chihuly.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 21, 2023

Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was devastating for designer Penny Francis, who owns the New Orleans shop Eclectic Home.

From Washington Post • Mar. 23, 2022

Mother Betty Paschal of the rural central Alabama town of Eclectic said she never thought she’d see the day her son was elected to the Legislature.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 14, 2021

Valadez said he’s wanted to host Morning Becomes Eclectic since he was a teenager, and will dedicate himself to bringing his Los Angeles experience to the show.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2020

James Garfield became known for his leadership at the Eclectic Institute and for his continued preaching throughout the area.

From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow

Related Words

• broad
• diverse
• varied
• wide-ranging