idiosyncratic
gb/ˌɪdioʊsˌɪŋkɹˈætɪk/ us/ˌɪdioʊsˌɪŋkɹˈætɪk/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
C1
property
1
distinctive to one person or thing
unique or special to one person or thing
Usage pattern:
idiosyncratic to [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Often misspelled (idiosyncratic) and sometimes confused with unrelated words like idiotic.
Synonyms
distinctive (More general and usually positive; less focused on personal quirks.)
|
individual (Highlights uniqueness, but not necessarily unusualness.)
|
characteristic (Neutral; emphasizes typical features rather than unusual ones.)
Antonyms
typical (Shared by many; not unique to one person or thing.)
|
common (Frequent and widely shared rather than distinctive.)
Collocations
idiosyncratic to
|an idiosyncratic feature
|an idiosyncratic trait
|an idiosyncratic habit
|an idiosyncratic approach
|an idiosyncratic method
|an idiosyncratic vocabulary
|an idiosyncratic style
|an idiosyncratic system
|deeply idiosyncratic
Themes
people
|personality
|language
|culture
Examples
- The software was built around an idiosyncratic workflow that only its original designer understood.
- Her writing is full of idiosyncratic turns of phrase that make it instantly recognizable.
- The museum’s catalog uses an idiosyncratic classification system developed decades ago.
Learner examples
- He has an idiosyncratic way of speaking.
- This rule is idiosyncratic to our company.
adjective
C1
property
2
unusual in a quirky way
a bit strange or unusual in a personal way
Usage pattern:
an idiosyncratic [idea/style/plan/behavior]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse it to mean simply 'strange'; it often suggests a recognizable personal quirk or nonstandard style.
Synonyms
quirky (More informal and often affectionate.)
|
eccentric (Stronger; often suggests a person's overall lifestyle or personality.)
|
unconventional (Emphasizes not following normal methods or traditions.)
Antonyms
conventional (Follows common standards and expectations.)
|
ordinary (Not unusual or distinctive.)
Collocations
idiosyncratic sense of humor
|idiosyncratic taste
|idiosyncratic design
|idiosyncratic manner
|idiosyncratic behavior
|idiosyncratic fashion
|idiosyncratic interpretation
|idiosyncratic idea
|idiosyncratic solution
|idiosyncratic charm
Themes
people
|daily_life
|art
Examples
- The restaurant has an idiosyncratic menu that changes every day with no warning.
- His idiosyncratic sense of humor doesn’t always land with new coworkers.
- The film’s idiosyncratic style is part of what makes it memorable.
Learner examples
- She wears idiosyncratic clothes.
- They chose an idiosyncratic design.
adjective
technical
C2
property
3
caused by an unusual personal reaction
an unusual reaction that only some people have
Usage pattern:
an idiosyncratic reaction to [something]
Common mistake:
In medical contexts it refers to an atypical reaction, not simply a person's habits or personality.
Synonyms
atypical (More general; does not specifically imply it is unique to certain individuals.)
|
unpredictable (Focuses on difficulty anticipating it rather than individual specificity.)
Antonyms
typical (Occurs in the usual way for most people.)
|
expected (Occurs as normally predicted or commonly observed.)
Collocations
idiosyncratic reaction
|idiosyncratic response
|idiosyncratic sensitivity
|idiosyncratic adverse effect
|idiosyncratic drug reaction
|idiosyncratic toxicity
Themes
health
|medicine
Examples
- The patient experienced an idiosyncratic reaction to the medication despite a standard dose.
- Doctors monitored her closely because of a history of idiosyncratic drug responses.
Learner examples
- He had an idiosyncratic reaction to the medicine.
Grammar
Dictionary form
idiosyncratic
IPA
GB/ˌɪdioʊsˌɪŋkɹˈætɪk/
US/ˌɪdioʊsˌɪŋkɹˈætɪk/
Syllables & stress
idio - syn - crat - ic (4 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (ic)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: idiosyncratic
Word family
Core family
idiosyncrasy
noun C1
Related words
idiosyncratically
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
non-idiosyncratic
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.