unique

American  

[yoo-neek] / yuˈnik /

adjective

1. existing as the only one or as the sole example; single; solitary in type or characteristics.

   a unique copy of an ancient manuscript.

2. having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable.

   Bach was unique in his handling of counterpoint.

3. limited in occurrence to a given class, situation, or area.

   a species unique to Australia.

4. limited to a single outcome or result; without alternative possibilities.

   Certain types of problems have unique solutions.

5. not typical; unusual.

   She has a very unique smile.

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noun

1. the embodiment of unique characteristics; the only specimen of a given kind.

   The unique is also the improbable.

unique British  

/ juːˈniːk /

adjective

1. being the only one of a particular type; single; sole

2. without equal or like; unparalleled

3. informal very remarkable or unusual

4. maths

   1. leading to only one result

      the sum of two integers is unique

   2. having precisely one value

      the unique positive square root of 4 is 2

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Usage

Many authors of usage guides, editors, teachers, and others feel strongly that such “absolute” words as complete, equal, perfect, and especially unique cannot be compared because of their “meaning”: a word that denotes an absolute condition cannot be described as denoting more or less than that absolute condition. However, all such words have undergone semantic development and are used in a number of senses, some of which can be compared by words like more, very, most, absolutely, somewhat, and totally and some of which cannot. The earliest meanings of unique when it entered English around the beginning of the 17th century were “single, sole” and “having no equal.” By the mid-19th century unique had developed a wider meaning, “not typical, unusual,” and it is in this wider sense that it is compared: The foliage on the late-blooming plants is more unique than that on the earlier varieties. The comparison of so-called absolutes in senses that are not absolute is standard in all varieties of speech and writing. See also a ¹, complete, perfect.

Unique is normally taken to describe an absolute state, i.e. one that cannot be qualified. Thus something is either unique or not unique; it cannot be rather unique or very unique. However, unique is sometimes used informally to mean very remarkable or unusual and this makes it possible to use comparatives or intensifiers with it, although many people object to this use

Other Word Forms

• nonunique adjective
• nonuniquely adverb
• uniquely adverb
• uniqueness noun

Etymology

Origin of unique

First recorded in 1595–1605; from French, from Latin ūnicus, equivalent to ūn(us) “one” + -icus -ic

Example Sentences

“When you have that unique, differentiated content and know how to use it—understanding which algorithms and analytics to apply—you know which customer decisions you are supporting,” Luff said.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is a constant running through a unique rugby CV.

From BBC

“It comes down to having a digital app that’s able to communicate with customers, and having unique products that offer innovation and value,” Placer.ai’s Hottovy says.

From Barron's

"Our research is helping us uncover the unique statistical properties -- or statistical fingerprint -- of these sign systems, which are an early predecessor to writing," says Professor Christian Bentz.

From Science Daily

Stool samples were used to identify bacterial species by isolating 16S RNA, a molecule unique to bacteria that varies slightly between species, much like a fingerprint.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• exceptional
• extraordinary
• rare
• singular
• special
• strange
• uncommon
• unparalleled
• unprecedented
• weird