atypical
Americanadjective
adjective
Usage
What does atypical mean? Atypical is used to describe something that does not conform to the norm or that is irregular, such as an atypical behavior or an atypical action. Something that is atypical differs in a noticeable way from other items of its kind. An atypical flower might be a flower that glows in the dark (if you discover one, let us know!). An atypical horror film could be one in which the monster tries to be friends with everyone rather than kill them. Example: These fixtures are atypical of our usual products.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of atypical
Explanation
Typical means what you would expect—a typical suburban town has lots of neat little houses and people. Atypical means outside of type—an atypical suburban town might be populated by zombies in damp caves. Atypical is a synonym of "unusual," but it carries a more objective feel—scientific studies might mention atypical results, suggesting that there is a clear definition of what is typical and what is not. "Unusual" is more of a casual observation that one might make in a non-scientific context.
Vocabulary lists containing atypical
"Not Much, Just Chillin'" – "My Own True Name"
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Vocab Video Contest (2016) - List 1
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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.
Atypical anorexia: includes all the same psychological and behavioral symptoms as anorexia, except being underweight.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 10, 2023
Atypical weather conditions conspiring with a healthy dose of bad luck created ideal circumstances on Tuesday for wildfires to ignite on Maui and then spread, ravaging the island.
From New York Times • Aug. 10, 2023
Atypical, yet somehow characteristic, is an Octavia Frazier still life in which one-dimensional blocks of colors abut renderings of fruit that are modeled to simulate roundness.
From Washington Post • Aug. 26, 2022
As a director of original series at Netflix, Carolina García is responsible for bringing binge-worthy shows such as Stranger Things, Atypical, and Raising Dion to our screens.
From BBC • Dec. 9, 2021
Atypical asymmetry of the cerebral hemispheres as regards bulk.
From Degeneracy Its Causes, Signs and Results by Talbot, Eugene S.
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.
