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.
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having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable.
Bach was unique in his handling of counterpoint.
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limited in occurrence to a given class, situation, or area.
a species unique to Australia.
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limited to a single outcome or result; without alternative possibilities.
Certain types of problems have unique solutions.
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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
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.
Vocabulary lists containing unique
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Power Prefix: uni-
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List 5
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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.
Guerra said the lack of affordable housing had created a unique moment: Even after the King riots, the Northridge earthquake and the O.J.
From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026
The iron gives the cells unique magnetic properties that could allow them to respond to the planet's magnetic field.
From Science Daily • May 31, 2026
The Cybertruck purchase is just another example that Elon Musk-run companies are unique.
From Barron's • May 30, 2026
Over time, those markings were replaced with a unique alphanumeric code system, while deliveries came to rely on bicycles, motorbikes and Mumbai's suburban train network.
From BBC • May 29, 2026
The ship itself and the artifacts constitute a stunning time capsule, giving us a unique record of maritime and everyday life in Tudor England.
From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler
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.
