sui generis

American  

[soo-i ge-ne-ris, soo-ahy jen-er-is, soo-ee] / ˈsʊ ɪ ˈgɛ nɛ rɪs, ˈsu aɪ ˈdʒɛn ər ɪs, ˈsu i /

adjective

Latin.

1. of his, her, its, or their own kind; unique.

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sui generis British  

/ ˌsuːaɪ ˈdʒɛnərɪs /

adjective

1. unique

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sui generis Cultural  

1. A person or thing that is unique, in a class by itself: “She is an original artist; each of her paintings is sui generis.” From Latin, meaning “of its own kind.”

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Etymology

Origin of sui generis

Latin, literally: of its own kind

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sui generis

This is also something that has brought us together, for good or for bad, and that has a governance which has been almost sui generis and which is working.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 21, 2026

He was, however, an original, with a sui generis style both intense and charming.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025

To them, even after eight years of experience, the president is some type of sui generis figure, an aberration in American politics and culture.

From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2025

When it comes to family vibes, the Trumps are sui generis.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2024

Melinda is sui generis, and so generous too. vichyssoise.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Related Words

• bizarre
• extraordinary
• fantastic
• miraculous
• new
• remarkable
• singular
• uncommon
• unheard-of
• unique
• unparalleled
• unrivaled
• unusual