Pickwickian
[ pik-wik-ee-uhn ]
/ pɪkˈwɪk i ən /
Save This Word!
adjective
of, relating to, or characteristic of Mr. Pickwick, central character of The Pickwick Papers.
(of the use or interpretation of an expression) intentionally or unintentionally odd or unusual.
(of words or ideas) meant or understood in a sense different from the apparent or usual one.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of Pickwickian
1830–40; Pickwick + -ian
OTHER WORDS FROM Pickwickian
Pick·wick·i·an·ly, adverbWords nearby Pickwickian
pick up on, pick-up stick, pick up the pieces, pickup tube, pickwick, Pickwickian, Pickwickianism, Pickwickian syndrome, Pickwick, Samuel, picky, picloram
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use Pickwickian in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for Pickwickian
Pickwickian
/ (pɪkˈwɪkɪən) /
adjective
of, relating to, or resembling Mr Pickwick in Charles Dickens' The Pickwick Papers, esp in being naive or benevolent
(of the use or meaning of a word, etc) odd or unusual
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