eclectic

[ih-klek-tik]

adjective

1. selecting or choosing from various sources.

2. made up of what is selected from different sources.

3. not following any one system, as of philosophy, medicine, etc., but selecting and using what are considered the best elements of all systems.

4. 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

1. Also eclecticist a person who follows an eclectic method, as in philosophy or architecture.

eclectic

/ ɪˈklɛktɪk, ɛˈklɛk- /

adjective

1. (in art, philosophy, etc) selecting what seems best from various styles, doctrines, ideas, methods, etc

2. composed of elements drawn from a variety of sources, styles, etc

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• eclectically adverb
• noneclectic adjective
• noneclectically adverb
• uneclectic adjective
• uneclectically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of eclectic¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of eclectic¹

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

Example Sentences

It’s a quality that’s reflected in her eclectic style, busy travel schedule, Virgil Normal’s constantly changing selection and even the common feeling she gets when she’s sick of all of her clothes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Premiering Monday, “DMV” is set at a fictional East Hollywood location and orbits around an eclectic staff that is just trying to get through the daily grind of interacting with the public.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her nine other books cover an eclectic range of subjects.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One was an interest in an eclectic pursuit of knowledge that still gives these institutions a distinctive American energy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Hers is maximalist, hippy and eclectic, while her boyfriend dresses like a "typical skater in his 20s", in vintage band T-shirts and Vans in various shades of grey.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• broad 
• diverse 
• varied 
• wide-ranging