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.
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
Has battling this uncharacteristic slump taught him anything?
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 28, 2026
"I'll go back to the start of the Six Nations. I thought Steve made some very uncharacteristic comments about a title-decider against France, looking ahead," Jones told the Rugby Unity podcast, published on Monday.
From Barron's ● Feb. 24, 2026
A U-turn on sedans would be a reversal of uncharacteristic speed even for Detroit’s notoriously fickle industry.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 14, 2026
“Not exactly,” Violet says in an uncharacteristic whisper.
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.
