uniqueness

American  

[yoo-neek-nis] / yuˈnik nɪs /

noun

1. the quality of being unlike anything else of its kind or of being solitary in type or characteristics.

   Owing to its physical and behavioral uniqueness, the osprey is classified in its own family.

2. the quality of being unequaled, incomparable, or unusual.

   Critics are praising the uniqueness of her performance art.

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Other Word Forms

• nonuniqueness noun

Etymology

Origin of uniqueness

First recorded in 1800–05; unique ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Explanation

Are you one of a kind? Then you must have some kind of uniqueness, some quality that makes you stand out from all the rest. When you break down the word uniqueness, it’s easy to see what it means. First you notice the word unique, which means “one of a kind.” Then you notice -ness, a common suffix that’s used to form nouns that refer to a state of being. Put it together and you get uniqueness, a noun used to describe that certain something that makes a person or thing uncommon or singular, like "the uniqueness of a famous opera singer’s voice."

Example Sentences

“The beauty and uniqueness of that first dining table really confirmed this new direction for us,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

"There's a bright band, then nothing, bright band, nothing. No other pulsar shows this kind of striation. That uniqueness made the Crab Pulsar especially interesting -- and challenging -- to understand."

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2026

Senators will vociferously defend them by invoking the tradition and uniqueness of the Senate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

"All of us engaged in international cooperation can sense that awareness of Iceland's uniqueness, and of its strong position and interests... has changed dramatically," the prime minister said.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

The parochialism of the ghettos of Gotham had not prepared her for the uniqueness of Your Working Boy.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole