unique

USAGE SUMMARY

'unique' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that means "being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else". You could use it in a sentence such as: "This unique painting is one of a kind".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The housing bubble was unique, and uniquely awful.

The Economist

All statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com, where you can find yet more stats, including live in-game data and unique player and team ratings.

The Guardian - Sport

We have taken these positions because we believe that freedom and self-determination are not unique to one culture.

The New York Times

To provide personalised services unique to individual users.

The Guardian

And, given that very unique responsibility that he has, it's simply impossible for him to continue in that role when such very major question marks are being raised about his financial affairs".

The Guardian

Merchants have walked the route for centuries, but now the first handful of tourists are discovering this unique trek, known as the Chadar.

The Guardian - Travel

Paul Stokes, associate editor of NME, said the lineup proved "the unique place Glastonbury occupies in not only the hearts of the British festival-going public, but also the world's most influential music artists".

The Guardian - Music

Multimap had 1.4 million unique users, according to Nielsen, also behind rivals MapQuest, ViaMichelin, Mappy and Map24.

The Guardian

This seminar is a unique opportunity to learn how to turn your documentary idea into a compelling film that audiences will love.

The Guardian

The downside of such a unique situation and character is, of course, the Riviera price tag, often as steep as the Lattari mountains themselves.

The Guardian - Travel

Some of the unique pieces that I have designed have been tricky to make, so I work out how they can be made through research and a little trial and error.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "unique" with strong nouns to enhance impact. For instance, describe a "unique opportunity", "unique perspective", or "unique design" to amplify the distinct qualities.

Common error

One common mistake is modifying "unique" with intensifiers such as "very", "quite", or "somewhat". Since "unique" means 'one of a kind', it cannot be qualified; something is either unique or it is not. Replace phrases like "very unique" with alternatives such as "especially distinctive" or "particularly remarkable" to maintain accuracy and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "unique" primarily functions as an adjective. It is used to describe a noun, indicating that the noun possesses qualities that make it unlike anything else. Ludwig confirms this usage by showcasing numerous examples where "unique" modifies various nouns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Travel

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unique" is a versatile adjective denoting something that is the only one of its kind. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and widely used across diverse contexts, most prominently in news and media. To enhance your writing, remember that "unique" should not be modified by intensifiers like 'very' or 'quite'; instead, opt for synonyms such as "distinctive" or "exceptional" when you want to emphasize a high degree of distinctiveness without claiming absolute uniqueness. Always ensure that when you use "unique", you are referring to something truly unparalleled to maintain clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one of a kind

Replaces "unique" by highlighting the singularity and unmatched nature of something.

distinctive

Focuses on the characteristic that sets something apart from others.

unparalleled

Emphasizes the lack of comparison, suggesting something is unmatched in its category.

unequaled

Similar to unparalleled, but with a stronger emphasis on unmatched quality or achievement.

exceptional

Highlights something that is beyond the norm, standing out due to its superior qualities.

singular

Stresses the one-of-a-kind nature, implying a lack of duplication or repetition.

uncommon

Highlights the rarity of something, suggesting it's not frequently encountered.

rare

Indicates infrequency and limited availability, similar to uncommon but potentially more extreme.

particular

Focuses on the specific and individual characteristics of something.

individual

Highlights the specific traits that differentiate one thing from others of its type.

FAQs

How to use "unique" in a sentence?

You can use "unique" to describe something that is the only one of its kind. For example, "This painting has a "unique style"." or "Each person has a "unique perspective"."

What can I say instead of "unique"?

You can use alternatives like "one of a kind", "distinctive", or "unparalleled" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "unique" or "very unique"?

"Unique" is the correct term. "Very unique" is redundant since "unique" already means the only one of its kind. Use alternatives like "distinctive" or "exceptional" instead.

What's the difference between "unique" and "unusual"?

"Unique" means being the only one of its kind, while "unusual" means not common or ordinary. Something "unique" is without equal, while something "unusual" is simply rare or uncommon. Therefore "unusual" does not share the same meaning of "unique" and the terms should be used with care.