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.
Jack, my 15-year-old son, sidled up to me and spoke with uncharacteristic depth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
Even without El Niño, ocean temperatures have soared off parts of the coastline — a factor in the recent rounds of uncharacteristic muggy humidity.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 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
Renowned for his devastating precision, Sinner made an uncharacteristic 10 unforced errors in the opening eight games, but saved two break points to avoid an early setback.
From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026
To Mia’s astonishment, when she pried the house key loose from the key ring and handed it back, Mrs. Delaney pulled her into an uncharacteristic hug.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
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.
