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eclecticism

American  
[ih-klek-tuh-siz-uhm] / ɪˈklɛk təˌsɪz əm /

noun

  1. the use or advocacy of an eclectic method.

  2. a tendency in architecture and the decorative arts to mix various historical styles with modern elements with the aim of combining the virtues of many styles or increasing allusive content.


eclecticism British  
/ ɛˈklɛk-, ɪˈklɛktɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

  1. an eclectic system or method

  2. the use or advocacy of such a system

"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

Etymology

Origin of eclecticism

First recorded in 1825–35; eclectic + -ism

Vocabulary lists containing eclecticism

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.

See Examples For:

What set “Mothership Connection” apart was its humor, imagination and eclecticism.

From The Wall Street Journal Dec. 29, 2025

It’s that eclecticism and adventurous spirit that propels Croker’s excellent upcoming “Dream Manifest” album, due June 13.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 19, 2025

Informed by the sounds he heard from James Brown, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, it was indicative of the eclecticism throughout his career.

From Seattle Times Jul. 17, 2023

"As a novice, I liked the idea of eclecticism and variety, and having freedom in the overall structure," he says.

From BBC Apr. 3, 2023

Our artists, he said, walked too near the sterile soil of eclecticism, deferred too much to established codes.

From Handbook of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts by Breck, Joseph

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