idiosyncratic

American  

[id-ee-oh-sin-krat-ik, -sing-] / ˌɪd i oʊ sɪnˈkræt ɪk, -sɪŋ- /

adjective

1. pertaining to the nature of idiosyncrasy, or something peculiar to an individual.

   The best minds are idiosyncratic and unpredictable as they follow the course of scientific discovery.

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idiosyncratic British  

/ ˌɪdɪəʊsɪŋˈkrætɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to idiosyncrasy; characteristic of a specific person

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Other Word Forms

• idiosyncratically adverb

Etymology

Origin of idiosyncratic

First recorded in 1750–60; equivalent to idio- ( def. ) + Greek sýnkrat(os) “closely united” + -ic ( def. ); syn- ( def. ), crater

Example Sentences

These currencies were all strongly bought relative to peers in December with gains reflecting idiosyncratic factors rather than a shared narrative, he says.

From The Wall Street Journal

But over the next half-century, her emotionally wrenching performances would turn her into an Oscar winner, while her idiosyncratic personal style made her a touchstone to generations of American women.

From The Wall Street Journal

Major record labels have been swarming to woo the band, whose idiosyncratic sound is characterized by eclectic arrangements, surprising song structures and Winter’s warbly singing style.

From The Wall Street Journal

Chronert and his team expect “idiosyncratic behavior” among the AI enablers and the portfolio construction will also be complicated by the 40% weighting these stocks represent in the S&P 500.

From MarketWatch

For “Superman” and “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” the VFX teams created bright, idiosyncratic visions of two of the most famous comic-book franchises.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• characteristic
• distinctive
• individual
• peculiar
• singular
• specific
• unique