atypical

Also a·typ·ic

[ey-tip-i-kuhl]

adjective

1. not typical; not conforming to the type; irregular; abnormal.

   atypical behavior; a flower atypical of the species.

atypical

/ eɪˈtɪpɪkəl /

adjective

1. not typical; deviating from or not conforming to type

Other Word Forms

• atypicality noun
• atypically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of atypical¹

First recorded in 1880–85; a- ⁶ + typical

Related Words

• abnormal 
• anomalous 
• divergent 
• odd 
• peculiar 
• strange 
• unnatural 

When To Use

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.