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Synonyms

sui generis

American  
[soo-i ge-ne-ris, soo-ahy jen-er-is, soo-ee] / ˈsʊ ɪ ˈgɛ nɛ rɪs, ˈsu aɪ ˈdʒɛn ər ɪs, ˈsu i /

adjective

Latin.
  1. of his, her, its, or their own kind; unique.


sui generis British  
/ ˌsuːaɪ ˈdʒɛnərɪs /

adjective

  1. unique

"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

sui generis Cultural  
  1. A person or thing that is unique, in a class by itself: “She is an original artist; each of her paintings is sui generis.” From Latin, meaning “of its own kind.”


Etymology

Origin of sui generis

Latin, literally: of its own kind

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.

Once considered the product of two distinct artists, “Boy With a Basket of Fruit” speaks to the intensity of Caravaggio’s spectacular, sui generis vision of what Italian naturalism would become in his hands.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

He was, however, an original, with a sui generis style both intense and charming.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

To them, even after eight years of experience, the president is some type of sui generis figure, an aberration in American politics and culture.

From Salon • Aug. 30, 2025

Although there are original screenwriters aplenty in Hollywood, it’s hard to imagine anyone more truly sui generis than Charlie Kaufman.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2025

Melinda is sui generis, and so generous too. vichyssoise.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

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