idiosyncrasy

American  

[id-ee-uh-sing-kruh-see, -sin-] / ˌɪd i əˈsɪŋ krə si, -ˈsɪn- /

noun

plural

idiosyncrasies

1. a characteristic, habit, mannerism, or the like, that is peculiar to an individual.

   Synonyms:

   quirk, peculiarity

2. the physical constitution peculiar to an individual.

3. a peculiarity of the physical or the mental constitution, especially susceptibility toward drugs, food, etc.

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idiosyncrasy British  

/ ˌɪdɪəʊˈsɪŋkrəsɪ /

noun

1. a tendency, type of behaviour, mannerism, etc, of a specific person; quirk

2. the composite physical or psychological make-up of a specific person

3. an abnormal reaction of an individual to specific foods, drugs, or other agents

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Related Words

See eccentricity.

Other Word Forms

• idiosyncratic adjective

Etymology

Origin of idiosyncrasy

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Greek idiosynkrāsía, equivalent to idio- idio- + syn- syn- + krâs(is) “a blending” + -ia -y ³

Example Sentences

Indeed, the very features that make gifts inefficient as market transactions—surprise, idiosyncrasy, miscalibration—are often what make them meaningful as social gestures.

From The Wall Street Journal

“And he included Oona’s idiosyncrasies in the final animation. He was very respectful of the performance.”

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s easier to work with my idiosyncrasies instead of against them,” she explained this week to readers of Emily Sundberg’s Feed Me newsletter.

From The Wall Street Journal

“But we mixed that with a more Latin American idiosyncrasy, so it’s familiar but very different.”

From Los Angeles Times

Inside the White House, Pulte’s idiosyncrasies have earned him some detractors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• eccentricity
• mannerism
• peculiarity
• trait