eclectic

[ ih-klek-tik ]

See synonyms for eclectic on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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.
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

Also ec·lec·ti·cist [ih-klek-tuh-sist]. /ɪˈklɛk tə sɪst/. a person who follows an eclectic method, as in philosophy or architecture.

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- + légein “to pick up, gather, count, speak”; cf. dialect ) + -ikos -ic

Other words from eclectic

ec·lec·ti·cal·ly, adverb
non·ec·lec·tic, adjective, noun
non·ec·lec·ti·cal·ly, adverb
un·ec·lec·tic, adjective
un·ec·lec·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words Nearby eclectic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use eclectic in a sentence

Easy-going guy who enjoys nights out on the weekends and documentaries after work on the weeknights — and a guy who likes my eclectic taste in music and who prefers the beach to anywhere else.
Meet D.C.’s Most Eligible LGBTQ Singles | Staff reports | February 11, 2021 | Washington Blade
A final revelation from the filmmaker touches on what elevates “Two of Us” beyond the sum of its eclectic set of parts.
Lesbian love story becomes thriller in ‘Two of Us’ | John Paul King | February 4, 2021 | Washington Blade
I had a ton of fun with this eclectic and distinct theme, especially when building séance rooms, though not all of it fit my Tanglewood project.
I recreated ‘Phasmophobia’ in ‘The Sims 4’ with the game’s new paranormal pack | Elise Favis | January 26, 2021 | Washington Post
The platform’s product list is eclectic, from clothing to honey.
Can Blockchain Save ‘Made in the USA’? | Daniel Malloy | January 8, 2021 | Ozy
More than meets the eye, Belize’s tapestry is also woven with exotic cultures paired with an eclectic food scene.
Your Personalized Guide to Belize's Best Adventures | Outside Editors | December 21, 2020 | Outside Online

I think this is just much more natural and eclectic than a lot of films.
‘Boyhood’ Star Ellar Coltrane: An Astonishing Debut 12 Years in the Making | Kevin Fallon | July 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But these days, Starbucks features an eclectic mix of music with a very heavy dose of jazz.
Jazz (The Music of Coffee and Donuts) Has Respect, But It Needs Love | Ted Gioia | June 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Forty-eight works from 37 artists, including 18 women, are on display, and the selection is eclectic.
Pharrell’s ‘GIRLS’ Exhibit Stars...Pharrell? | Liza Foreman | May 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The occasion was a live taping for KCRW's long-running Morning Becomes eclectic radio program.
Beck’s Musical Time Machine: This Wasn’t a Concert. It was a Spectacular Party. | Andrew Romano | April 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
He also posted the tips videos on YouTube, where his eclectic likes suggest the very opposite of a narrow-minded fanatic.
Don’t Turn This Malaysia Airlines Pilot Into Flight 370’s Richard Jewell | Michael Daly | March 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But Alexander was only a religious eclectic, honouring what he thought best in the current systems of belief.
The Catacombs of Rome | William Henry Withrow
In consequence of its symbolical purpose this hieratic series is rather eclectic than cyclopdic in its character.
The Catacombs of Rome | William Henry Withrow
Shy in boyhood and eclectic in the matter of associates, he had the genius for real friendships.
Historic Fredericksburg | John T. Goolrick
It was during this period that Clemens formulated his eclectic therapeutic doctrine.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete | Albert Bigelow Paine
In its actual procedure school work must always be thus eclectic.
The Montessori Method | Maria Montessori

British Dictionary definitions for eclectic

eclectic

/ (ɪˈklɛktɪk, ɛˈklɛk-) /

adjective

(in art, philosophy, etc) selecting what seems best from various styles, doctrines, ideas, methods, etc
composed of elements drawn from a variety of sources, styles, etc

noun

a person who favours an eclectic approach, esp in art or philosophy

Origin of eclectic

C17: from Greek eklektikos, from eklegein to select, from legein to gather

Derived forms of eclectic

eclectically, adverb

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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