unique
Americanadjective
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existing as the only one or as the sole example; single; solitary in type or characteristics.
a unique copy of an ancient manuscript.
-
having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable.
Bach was unique in his handling of counterpoint.
-
limited in occurrence to a given class, situation, or area.
a species unique to Australia.
-
limited to a single outcome or result; without alternative possibilities.
Certain types of problems have unique solutions.
-
not typical; unusual.
She has a very unique smile.
noun
adjective
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being the only one of a particular type; single; sole
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without equal or like; unparalleled
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informal very remarkable or unusual
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maths
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leading to only one result
the sum of two integers is unique
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The final result is utterly unique to Blumberg and Fastvold, a period character study by way of trance and an experiential approximation of religious fervor.
From Los Angeles Times
Semenyo's profile is a unique one and at the reported price point, it feels like a no-brainer.
From BBC
Each rat in the study was genetically unique and belonged to one of four separate cohorts.
From Science Daily
Filming such an intense drama has given Gadd and Gunning a "unique bond" the actress says.
From BBC
We knew it was perilous, but we also knew it was a unique experience.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
