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unique

American  

[yoo-neek] / juˈnik /

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

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

Etymology

Origin of unique

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

Explanation

If something is unique, it's the only one around. You might think getting a nose ring would make you unique, until you see five other people on the street with the same piercing. If someone calls you unique you know that you are very special. The reason is that the Latin prefix uni- means "one." (Technically speaking, it isn't possible to be "very unique" — you either are or you're not.) Think of the prefix in unicorn for a creature with one horn and unicycle for a cycle with one wheel.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

unique

The Smithsonian was created by the federal government in 1846 but operates in a unique position outside any branch of government.

From Barron's ● Sep. 12, 2026

‘It wasn’t, “Do I want to do this?” but, “Do I believe the theory of the case that I can add unique value?”’ she said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026

My dream collection consists of the most unique archive pieces of each designer I collect.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

Rogers said there was a "unique variety of habitats" in the area and warned many species "really are on the brink".

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

A history of modern science without progress fails to capture science’s unique feature.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

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