eclectic
Americanadjective
-
selecting or choosing from various sources.
-
made up of what is selected from different sources.
-
not following any one system, as of philosophy, medicine, etc., but selecting and using what are considered the best elements of all systems.
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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.
noun
adjective
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(in art, philosophy, etc) selecting what seems best from various styles, doctrines, ideas, methods, etc
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composed of elements drawn from a variety of sources, styles, etc
noun
Other Word Forms
- eclectically adverb
- noneclectic adjective
- noneclectically adverb
- uneclectic adjective
- 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”; dialect ( def. ) ) + -ikos -ic
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.
His own explanations for inflation are eclectic, at times drawing on commodity and stock prices, the money supply, productivity and federal spending.
His music proved so harmonically sophisticated and eclectic that it took audiences and critics some years to fully appreciate the genius of his gifts.
The end result is a striking space that feels entirely unique, even in a region as architecturally eclectic as Southern California.
From Los Angeles Times
It is an eclectic and international vision, with the film sweeping around examples of harmony in places including India, Guyana and Afghanistan.
From BBC
In addition to creating art and DJing, Arens is also a musician, and his eclectic music projects reflect his nostalgic proclivities.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
