Definition of eccentricity
eccentricities
1a : the quality or state of being eccentricb : deviation from an established pattern or norm; especially : odd or whimsical behavior
2a : a mathematical constant that for a given conic section is the ratio of the distances from any point of the conic section to a focus and the corresponding directrixb : the eccentricity of an astronomical orbit used as a measure of its deviation from circularity
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Examples of eccentricity in a Sentence
Some people weren't very tolerant of his eccentricity.
Talking to her plants is one of her many eccentricities.
Recent Examples of eccentricity from the Web
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The designer continued to embrace his signature eccentricity, with vintage-looking jogging pants worn under ruffled shirts or a light burgundy matelassé coat with a green neckline and pocket details, for example.
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Even the album’s cover art explicitly channels the mind-set of teen-agers and twentysomethings who, liberated by the Internet, spurn labels and celebrate eccentricity.
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Yes, there are potatoes and eggs and chorizo, but these combinations challenge old assumptions with Dalí-like eccentricity.
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His artistry, eccentricity, obsession with a good deathmatch, and pop-star looks made Romero the public face of Doom, the frontman for thousands of adoring nerds.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'eccentricity'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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First Known Use of eccentricity
1545
ECCENTRICITY Defined for English Language Learners
eccentricity
playDefinition of eccentricity for English Language Learners
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: the quality of being strange or unusual in behavior
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: an act or habit that is strange or unusual
Learn More about eccentricity
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See words that rhyme with eccentricity Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for eccentricity Spanish Central: Translation of eccentricity Nglish: Translation of eccentricity for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of eccentricity for Arabic speakers
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