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

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

See Examples For:

eclectic

His influences and idols were eclectic; he was an English rock fanatic and a salsa obsessive; he loved everything from Hollywood westerns and gory B-pictures to European art-house cinema.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

The herbs at the shop support Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, rainforest herbalism and American eclectic herbalism, Ayales says.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

He had moved into a mansion in the city’s patrician Nob Hill neighborhood, entertaining an eclectic set of guests who made their way up the home’s steep driveway to enjoy its sweeping views.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

The tournament’s first halftime show featured an eclectic lineup including Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS, Shakira, Chris Martin, Burna Boy and, in one of the day’s more unexpected highlights, the Muppets.

From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026

The Allies together were an eclectic, spirited group, loaded with idealism and aspirations and representing a broad swath of backgrounds.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

• broad
• diverse
• varied
• wide-ranging