idiosyncratic

USAGE SUMMARY

The word idiosyncratic is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means "peculiar to a particular individual or group; atypical or unconventional". For example, "She has some very idiosyncratic taste in clothing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Searching for an explanation I could think of only one answer, and that from their idiosyncratic laws; Chile is the only country in the world where it's illegal to get a divorce.

The Guardian - Travel

It is handed down in absentia, and unless Earth has an extradition treaty with the 357-room celestial palace in which Tony Blair's idiosyncratic brand of faith presumably leads him to imagine he will spend eternity, then the former prime minister is safe to continue telling every second interviewer that "history will judge me", or that he is "prepared to be judged by history".

The Guardian - Opinion

Like a pimped-up Bargain Hunt or Cash in the Attic with attitude, Storage Hunters UK is chiefly memorable for its presenter Sean Kelly's idiosyncratic auctioneering style and contestants charmless enough to make the wannabes on The Apprentice look like people you'd want to spend time with.

The Guardian

We began to seek out more interesting, idiosyncratic and intimate hotels.

The Guardian - Travel

He admitted that his idiosyncratic style risks being divisive.

The Guardian - Film

There is a humming undercurrent to the critique of modern batting, that increasingly idiosyncratic and macho pursuit.

The Guardian - Sport

It was this cheerful, idiosyncratic off-field attitude that set him apart from the grim-faced, unsmiling All Black enforcers of traditional legend.

The Guardian - Sport

Hockney supplies an idiosyncratic commentary, expounding his forthright views on everything from the state of modern art to why crinkled chips are preferable, because there's more surface area.

The Guardian - Arts

JR In an age of solemn menus listing where every ingredient lived and died, John Broadley's idiosyncratic work for Quo Vadis is to be treasured.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Byrne, the idiosyncratic former Talking Heads frontman, was in London to publicise his concert film Ride, Rise, Roar, and told the Observer he was listening to a lot of brass music these days.

The Guardian - Music

These results are not the product of either improved efficiency or greater investment, but are largely the results of the idiosyncratic way in which energy tariffs are calculated.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "idiosyncratic" to describe personal habits, styles, or methods that are uniquely characteristic of an individual or a specific entity. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being described as "idiosyncratic".

Common error

While "idiosyncratic" is widely understood, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or technical writing where a more precise term might be available. Consider alternatives like "distinct" or "specific" if they better convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "idiosyncratic" primarily functions to modify nouns, highlighting their unique, peculiar, or distinctive qualities. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the word as grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "idiosyncratic" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, which serves to highlight the unique and peculiar qualities of a subject. While suitable for various contexts, including news, business, and scientific writing, it's best to avoid overuse in excessively formal settings. Related terms include "distinctive", "peculiar", and "unconventional". When using "idiosyncratic", ensure the context clearly defines what's being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinctive

Emphasizes the quality of being easily recognizable or different from others.

peculiar

Highlights the strangeness or unusual nature of something.

unconventional

Focuses on the deviation from established norms or practices.

eccentric

Suggests a deliberate or unintentional departure from the ordinary.

unorthodox

Implies a rejection of traditional or accepted methods.

singular

Underscores the uniqueness or unparalleled nature of something.

unique

Highlights the absolute distinctiveness and non-replicability.

atypical

Focuses on not conforming to the typical or expected pattern.

individualistic

Highlights the independence and self-reliance in style or behavior.

nonconformist

Emphasizes active resistance to conforming to established norms.

FAQs

How can I use "idiosyncratic" in a sentence?

You can use "idiosyncratic" to describe something peculiar or unique to an individual or group, for example: "His methods were highly idiosyncratic, but surprisingly effective".

What are some synonyms for "idiosyncratic"?

Alternatives to "idiosyncratic" include "distinctive", "peculiar", and "unconventional", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "idiosyncratic" a formal or informal word?

"Idiosyncratic" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although in very technical or scientific writing, a more precise term might be preferred.

What's the difference between "idiosyncratic" and "eccentric"?

While both words describe something unusual, "idiosyncratic" refers to qualities unique to a particular individual or group, whereas "eccentric" often implies a more deliberate or flamboyant departure from the norm.