idiosyncratic

[ id-ee-oh-sin-krat-ik, -sing- ]

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.

idiosyncratic

/ ˌɪdɪəʊsɪŋˈkrætɪk /

adjective

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

Derived Forms

• ˌidiosynˈcratically, adverb

Other Words From

• idi·o·syn·crati·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of idiosyncratic¹

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

Example Sentences

Regardless of the makeup of grapes in the bottle, with grower Champagne you are tasting the individual winemaker’s vision — something definitionally idiosyncratic, and sometimes a little peculiar, but always compelling.

From Eater

I suspect there was also a question of whether such an idiosyncratic product would translate.

From TechCrunch

In any other year, some idiosyncratic combination would likely come to mind.

From Nautilus

It’s also possible the Aces’ style will be less effective in a playoff series, when their opponent is able to spend more time game planning against their idiosyncratic tendencies.

From FiveThirtyEight

The New York Times takes its headlining choices very seriously, but as we learned from thumbing through years of its headlines, it also makes some idiosyncratic choices.

From FiveThirtyEight

Her striking new, vinyl-only single once again confirms St. Vincent's idiosyncratic talent.

From The Daily Beast

However, there are a handful of new or idiosyncratic items that I throw into the conversation.

From The Daily Beast

In 2012, Bentivolio filed as a long-shot primary candidate to take on idiosyncratic five-term incumbent Thaddeus McCotter.

From The Daily Beast

He dropped a few hints about the “small,” “idiosyncratic” black-and-white movie that he will shoot after he finishes Crimson Peak.

From The Daily Beast

So did drivers across Europe, who launched their own idiosyncratic protests Wednesday.

From The Daily Beast

Perhaps for the first time in his life Edward Henry intimately understood what idiosyncratic elegance was.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus they tend to be more personal, more idiosyncratic, than in a book it would be lawful for a writer to be.

From Project Gutenberg

Indeed, those having an idiosyncratic susceptibility to alkaloids should be temperate in the use of tea, coffee, or cocoa.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Phoebus pursued a life in his island partly feudal, partly Oriental, partly Venetian, and partly idiosyncratic.

From Project Gutenberg

Under dosage, the circular states: A few patients may be idiosyncratic to the iodides and find they cannot take oxyl-iodide.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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