eccentric

especially British, ex·cen·tric

[ik-sen-trik, ek-]

adjective

1. deviating from the recognized or customary character, practice, etc.; irregular; erratic; peculiar; odd.

   eccentric conduct;

   an eccentric person.

   Synonyms: bizarre, weird, strange
   Antonyms: conventional, customary, ordinary, regular, normal

2. Geometry.,  not having the same center; not concentric: used especially of two circles or spheres at least one of which contains the centers of both.

3. (of an axis, axle, etc.) not situated in the center.

4. Machinery.,  having the axis or support away from the center.

   an eccentric wheel.

5. Astronomy.,  deviating from a circular form, as an elliptic orbit.

noun

1. a person who has an unusual, peculiar, or odd personality, set of beliefs, or behavior pattern.

2. something that is unusual, peculiar, or odd.

3. Machinery.,  a device for converting circular motion into rectilinear motion, consisting of a disk fixed somewhat off-center to a revolving shaft, and working freely in a surrounding collar eccentricstrap, to which a rod eccentricrod is attached.

eccentric

/ ɪkˈsɛntrɪk /

adjective

1. deviating or departing from convention, esp in a bizarre manner; irregular or odd

2. situated away from the centre or the axis

3. not having a common centre Compare concentric

   eccentric circles

4. not precisely circular

noun

1. a person who deviates from normal forms of behaviour, esp in a bizarre manner

2. a device for converting rotary motion to reciprocating motion

Other Word Forms

• eccentrically adverb
• eccentrical adjective
• noneccentric adjective
• noneccentrically adverb
• uneccentric adjective
• uneccentrically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of eccentric¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Medieval Latin eccentricus, from Greek ékkentr(os) “out of center” ( ec-, center ) + Latin -icus -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of eccentric¹

C16: from Medieval Latin eccentricus, from Greek ekkentros out of centre, from ek- _ex- ¹ + kentron centre

Example Sentences

Holding macroeconomic policy hostage to eccentric theories about trade and personal vendettas against central bankers is another.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Yet, Bowl residents remain optimistic that, someday, they will be able to buy the park from the owners and finally serve as the caretakers of the eccentric and beloved affordable community.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her portrayal of the feisty, eccentric, charming title character would define Keaton as an actor for the rest of her career.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her breezy, layered menswear in that film became a cultural touchstone, symbolizing a new kind of womanhood — intellectual, self-assured and a little eccentric.

Read more on Salon

Introduced in 2017, the Revero line amounts to a rolling reboot of the car formerly known as Karma, incorporating critical updates and lessons learned over the years, while preserving the eccentric charisma of the original.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bizarre 
• curious 
• erratic 
• funny 
• idiosyncratic 
• kooky 
• nutty 
• odd 
• offbeat 
• outlandish 
• peculiar 
• quirky 
• strange 
• unconventional 
• weird 
• whimsical