Words / C2

id-ee-uh-sing-KRAT-ik/ˌɪdiəsɪŋˈkrætɪk/

Idiosyncratic means peculiar to one person — an odd personal habit or style, not a random insult. Use it instead of weird when the oddness is characteristic (an idiosyncratic filing system). In speech say that’s just her way; idiosyncratic is a critic’s word.

Meaning

Peculiar to one person; unusual in a personal way.

Examples

• “She has an idiosyncratic way of taking notes.”
• “His idiosyncratic punctuation became a trademark.”
• “The building has an idiosyncratic floor plan.”

Good to know

Odd in a personal way. Everyday: peculiar / his own way.

Near in meaning

peculiar

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