atypical
gb/eɪtˈɪpɪkəl/ us/eɪtˈɪpɪkəl/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
not usual; not typical
not normal or usual
Usage pattern:
an atypical [event/response/feature]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse atypical (unusual) with typical (usual), or use it where simply different is more natural.
Synonyms
unusual (More common and less formal than atypical.)
|
uncommon (Emphasizes rarity rather than difference from a norm.)
|
abnormal (Often suggests something is wrong or unhealthy; atypical can be more neutral.)
Antonyms
typical (Shows the usual, expected features.)
|
normal (Conforms to the usual standard or pattern.)
Collocations
atypical behavior
|atypical response
|atypical pattern
|atypical case
|atypical example
|atypical situation
|atypical features
|atypical results
|atypical weather
|highly atypical
Themes
daily_life
|describing_people
|describing_things
Examples
- It was an atypical summer, with cool temperatures and frequent rain.
- Her calm reaction was atypical for her in stressful situations.
- The company reported atypical results after the one-time sale.
Learner examples
- This is atypical weather for March.
- His answer was atypical.
adjective
B2
property
2
unusual for a specific person/thing
not normal for that person or situation
Usage pattern:
atypical for [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit 'for' (e.g., 'atypical him'); use 'atypical for him/her/them'.
Synonyms
out of character (Used especially for a person's behavior.)
|
uncharacteristic (More specifically about a person's usual behavior or qualities.)
Antonyms
in character (Typical of someone's usual behavior.)
|
characteristic (Typical or representative of someone or something.)
Collocations
atypical for someone
|atypical for the season
|atypical for the region
|atypical for the market
|atypical of someone
|somewhat atypical
|entirely atypical
|atypical in this area
Themes
communication
|describing_people
Examples
- That level of anger is atypical for him.
- Heavy snow is atypical for this part of the country.
- The drop in sales is atypical for this time of year.
Learner examples
- It is atypical for her to be late.
adjective
technical
C1
property
3
not following the usual medical pattern
in medicine: not showing the usual symptoms
Usage pattern:
atypical [symptoms/presentation/case]
Common mistake:
Learners may assume atypical always means serious; in medical contexts it often means simply 'not the usual pattern'.
Synonyms
nonclassic (Used in medical writing to mean 'not the classic form'.)
|
unusual (Less technical; does not specifically imply deviation from a standard clinical pattern.)
Antonyms
classic (Shows the standard, well-known pattern of signs and symptoms.)
|
typical (Shows the usual pattern expected for the condition.)
Collocations
atypical symptoms
|atypical presentation
|atypical case
|atypical infection
|atypical pain
|atypical rash
|atypical findings
|atypical course
Themes
health
|medicine
Examples
- She came in with atypical symptoms that made diagnosis difficult.
- Older adults can show an atypical presentation of the illness.
- The doctor noted atypical chest pain and ordered more tests.
Learner examples
- The patient had atypical symptoms.
adjective
technical
C1
property
4
not normal-looking in biology/pathology
in pathology: not looking normal
Usage pattern:
atypical [cells/tissue]
Common mistake:
Learners may equate atypical with cancer; in reports it can indicate uncertainty and may require follow-up, not a definite diagnosis.
Synonyms
abnormal (Broader; does not always carry the same report-style implication as atypical.)
Antonyms
benign (Indicates non-cancerous; not a direct opposite, but contrasts with concerning findings.)
|
normal (Shows expected, healthy appearance.)
Collocations
atypical cells
|atypical tissue
|atypical changes
|atypical features
|atypical hyperplasia
|atypical lesion
Themes
health
|medicine
|biology
Examples
- The lab report mentioned atypical cells and recommended repeat testing.
- Microscopy showed atypical changes in the tissue sample.
Learner examples
- The report said the cells were atypical.
adjective
technical
C1
property
5
not matching typical development/behavior
developing or behaving differently from most people
Usage pattern:
atypical [development/behavior/learning]
Common mistake:
Learners may use atypical as a label for a person; in careful writing it often describes patterns (e.g., 'atypical development') rather than identity.
Synonyms
nontypical (Closer in meaning, but less common in general writing.)
|
divergent (Often used more neutrally and broadly, not necessarily tied to norms.)
Antonyms
typical (Follows the expected developmental or behavioral pattern.)
|
neurotypical (Common term for typical neurological development and functioning.)
Collocations
atypical development
|atypical behavior
|atypical learning profile
|atypical social communication
|atypical sensory responses
Themes
education
|psychology
|health
Examples
- The assessment noted atypical language development for his age.
- Teachers were trained to recognize atypical learning patterns early.
Learner examples
- The child showed atypical development.
Grammar
Dictionary form
atypical
IPA
GB/eɪtˈɪpɪkəl/
US/eɪtˈɪpɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
atyp - ic - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ic)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: atypical
Word family
Expressions
atypical antipsychotic
1/eɪtˈɪpɪkəl ˈæntˈɪpsˌaɪkˈɑtɪk/
fixed phrase
technical
newer class of antipsychotic drug
a newer type of antipsychotic medicine
Examples
- The doctor suggested an atypical antipsychotic because of the side-effect profile.
- Many patients today are treated with an atypical antipsychotic rather than older medications.
atypical chest pain
1/eɪtˈɪpɪkəl t͡ʃˈɛst pˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
technical
chest pain not in classic pattern
chest pain that is not the usual kind
Examples
- He went to the ER with atypical chest pain and shortness of breath.
- Atypical chest pain can make diagnosis more challenging.
atypical depression
1/eɪtˈɪpɪkəl dɪpɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
depression with specific symptom pattern
a type of depression with different symptoms
Examples
- Her psychiatrist discussed whether her symptoms fit atypical depression.
- Some treatments are chosen differently for atypical depression than for other forms.
atypical hyperplasia
1/eɪtˈɪpɪkəl hˌaɪpɚplˈeɪʒiə/
fixed phrase
technical
abnormal increase of atypical cells
a medical finding of abnormal cell growth
Examples
- The biopsy showed atypical hyperplasia, so further evaluation was recommended.
- She asked her doctor what atypical hyperplasia meant for her long-term risk.
atypical pneumonia
1/eɪtˈɪpɪkəl numˈoʊnjə/
fixed phrase
technical
pneumonia with nonclassic symptoms
a kind of pneumonia with unusual symptoms
Examples
- The clinician considered atypical pneumonia because the cough had lasted for weeks.
- They prescribed antibiotics commonly used for atypical pneumonia.