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.
Kildunne, who departed shortly after half-time, had struggled against the Wallaroos and made a number of uncharacteristic errors.
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026
Some were uncharacteristic misses on open chances, Lakers coach JJ Redick conceded, but he commended his players for making the majority of Edwards’ chances difficult.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 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 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
Again, this wasn’t at all uncharacteristic ol criminal cases.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
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.
