uncharacteristic
Britishadjective
Explanation
When something is uncharacteristic, it's not typical or expected. Snow in South Carolina is uncharacteristic, even in January. Your uncharacteristic silence might prompt your friends to worry about you, especially if you're normally the most talkative one in the room. On the other hand, an uncharacteristic win for your school's football team may fill you with uncharacteristic school spirit. Characteristic means "typical of a person or thing," and when you add the prefix un-, "not," you get its direct opposite.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On Monday, the 77-year-old took to social-media platform X for the first time to amplify his uncharacteristic missive.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
Yamamoto’s uncharacteristic sixth inning ended his streak of quality starts at five, including two that lasted eight innings or more.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026
But his earlier blunder, uncharacteristic for the joint-top scorer in this tournament, begs the question: Is it time players stopped with the 'stuttering' penalty kicks?
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
While the new conclusion made some sense for Andie — a lovestruck teenager still trying to balance perspective with hormones — Iona altering her appearance so drastically for a man remains uncharacteristic.
From Salon ● Feb. 28, 2026
A few years ago, in an uncharacteristic burst of after-school special inspiration, my father planned a daddy-daughter day for us that included mini-golf, McDonald’s, and a documentary about a racecar driver.
From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
