unique
existing as the only one or as the sole example; single; solitary in type or characteristics: a unique copy of an ancient manuscript.
having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable: Bach was unique in his handling of counterpoint.
limited in occurrence to a given class, situation, or area: a species unique to Australia.
limited to a single outcome or result; without alternative possibilities: Certain types of problems have unique solutions.
not typical; unusual: She has a very unique smile.
the embodiment of unique characteristics; the only specimen of a given kind: The unique is also the improbable.
Origin of unique
1usage note For unique
The earliest meanings of unique when it entered English around the beginning of the 17th century were “single, sole” and “having no equal.” By the mid-19th century unique had developed a wider meaning, “not typical, unusual,” and it is in this wider sense that it is compared: The foliage on the late-blooming plants is more unique than that on the earlier varieties. The comparison of so-called absolutes in senses that are not absolute is standard in all varieties of speech and writing.
See also a1, complete, perfect.
Other words from unique
- u·nique·ly, adverb
- u·nique·ness, noun
- non·u·nique, adjective
- non·u·nique·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use unique in a sentence
While the unique challenges of 2020 drove boards to seek experienced executives to fill the top job, CEOs also made clear that the demands of the job changed dramatically.
We each have a role, based on our unique talents, and we all have a responsibility to work together toward solutions.
Charles Koch: Partisan politics don’t work. It’s time for a new way | jakemeth | November 19, 2020 | FortuneAnother key innovation is Arrival’s unique color-infused composite body paneling, which eliminates the need for a traditional, large-footprint paint system.
EV startup Arrival goes public at $5.4 billion valuation in SPAC deal | dzanemorris | November 18, 2020 | FortuneContact a Fire Island Pines Realtor TodayFire Island Pines is a unique community, truly unlike any other.
Fire Island Pines: One Of America’s First LGBTQ Coastal Towns | LGBTQ-Editor | November 18, 2020 | No Straight News“It’s not unique, but the solar system belongs to a rare type of planetary system,” he says.
Planets with many neighbors may be the best places to look for life | Lisa Grossman | November 16, 2020 | Science News
If well done, a video game is uniquely suited to tell the story of a television show.
‘Game of Thrones’ Interactive FanFiction: Whoops, My Friend Was Speared in the Throat | Alec Kubas-Meyer | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThough, at their best, the Van Winkle whiskies are excellent, Pappy is not uniquely great.
But I feel like films are uniquely suited towards addressing paradox, recursiveness, and worlds-within-worlds.
Christopher Nolan Uncut: On ‘Interstellar,’ Ben Affleck’s Batman, and the Future of Mankind | Marlow Stern | November 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI think Mudbloods does that in a uniquely appropriate way, but there are other reasons it fits.
But the Madonna videos—particularly “Express Yourself” and “Vogue”—are uniquely spectacular.
He wanted Germany punished as though she was a uniquely sinful nation and France a sinless martyr land.
The Outline of History: Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind | Herbert George WellsIf Lady Calmady had lighted upon the right, the uniquely right, woman—perhaps—yes.
The History of Sir Richard Calmady | Lucas MaletWhoever can rightly name every warbler, male and female, on sight is uniquely accomplished.
Bird Neighbors | Neltje BlanchanHis life gave meaning to His words and made them uniquely different from any other words that had ever been spoken.
Herein is Love | Reuel L. HoweOn another, "To the unique, from one who admires him uniquely."
Edgar Saltus: The Man | Marie Saltus
British Dictionary definitions for unique
/ (juːˈniːk) /
being the only one of a particular type; single; sole
without equal or like; unparalleled
informal very remarkable or unusual
maths
leading to only one result: the sum of two integers is unique
having precisely one value: the unique positive square root of 4 is 2
Origin of unique
1usage For unique
Derived forms of unique
- uniquely, adverb
- uniqueness, noun
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
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