eclectic

1 of 2

adjective

eclec·​tic i-ˈklek-tik 

e-

1

: composed of elements drawn from various sources

also : heterogeneous

2

: selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles

eclectically

i-ˈklek-ti-k(ə-)lē 

e-

adverb

eclectic

2 of 2

noun

: one who uses a method or approach that is composed of elements drawn from various sources : one who uses an eclectic method or approach

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Eclectic Has a Philosophical History

Eclectic comes from the Greek adjective eklektikos, meaning “picking out, selecting what appears to be best,” which in turn comes from the verb eklegein, meaning “to select.” Eclectic was originally applied to ancient philosophers who were not committed to any single system of philosophy but instead selected whichever doctrines pleased them from every school of thought. Later, the word’s use broadened to cover other selective natures, as well as the use of elements drawn from different sources. For instance, a museum with an eclectic collection may showcase pieces from a variety of styles and periods and in different media. Similarly, a person may be said to have eclectic tastes if they enjoy a broad range, rather than a single genre, of film, music, literature, etc.

Synonyms

Adjective

• assorted
• heterogeneous
• indiscriminate
• kitchen-sink
• magpie
• miscellaneous
• mixed
• motley
• patchwork
• piebald
• promiscuous
• raggle-taggle
• ragtag
• varied

Examples of eclectic in a Sentence

Adjective

All around us, fishers galumphed past.  … They carried an eclectic array of rods, nets, buckets and coolers. —Stephen C. Sautner, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2000

Her witty, mordant and splendidly vinegary observations were informed by broad and eclectic reading. —George F. Will, Newsweek, 24 May 1999

The polo crowd is eclectic and dangerously hagridden with narcissism and treachery, and that is the way they like it. —Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994

… big wheels of country bread and eclectic selections of pâtés, hams, cheeses, honey and all sorts of homemade cookies and sweets. —Per-Henrik Mansson, Wine Spectator, 28 Feb. 1993

The collection includes an eclectic mix of historical artifacts.

the museum's eclectic collection has everything from a giraffe skeleton to medieval musical instruments

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

At your literal doorstep was a veritable world capital of social connection, retail nirvana and eclectic dining opportunities. —David Petitti, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025

Snag a seat underneath a canopy of palm fronds, where you’ll be surrounded by eclectic art and the sound of live music. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025

Noun

Central Lodi has blocks filled with bike shops and clothing stores, wine bars and beer joints, white-linen dining and ethnic eclectics. —Ken Van Vechten, latimes.com, 21 Dec. 2017

By allying himself with the eclectics, Lloyd was ostracized by regular pharmacists. —Jeff Suess, Cincinnati.com, 27 Oct. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Greek eklektikós "picking out, selecting what appears to be best," from eklektós "picked out, select" (verbal adjective of eklégein "to pick out, select," from ek- ec- + légein "to collect, gather, count, say") + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at legend

Noun

borrowed from Greek eklektikós "any of a group of philosophers who selected beliefs from a variety of schools of thought," noun derivative of eklektikós eclectic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1817, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for eclectic

• cachectic
• eutectic
• symplectic
• apoplectic
• dialectic
• hectic
• pectic
• smectic

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Kids Definition

eclectic

adjective

eclec·​tic

e-ˈklek-tik,

i-

1

: selecting what appears to be best from various styles, doctrines, or methods

eclectic taste in music

2

: composed of elements drawn from various sources

an eclectic guest list

Medical Definition

eclectic

1 of 2 adjective

eclec·​tic e-ˈklek-tik, i- 

1

: selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines or methods

2

: of, relating to, or practicing eclecticism

eclectically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

eclectic

2 of 2 noun

: one who uses an eclectic method or approach