eclectic

1 of 2

adjective

eclec·​tic i-ˈklek-tik How to pronounce eclectic (audio)
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 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 eklektikos (meaning "selective"), from the verb eklegein, "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. "Hard by, the central slab is thick with books / Diverse, but which the true eclectic mind / Knows how to group, and gather out of each / Their frequent wisdoms...." In this 19th century example from a poem by Arthur Joseph Munby, for example, the word is applied to literature lovers who cull selective works from libraries.

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
The album’s eclectic style, which blends comedy, storytelling, and therapeutic elements, resists confinement. Ebony Flake, Essence, 18 Mar. 2024 See inside the model's one-of-a-kind house, which suffered a devastating fire on Friday, the LAFD confirmed Cara Delevingne's Los Angeles home, which was severely damaged in a massive fire on Friday, was an homage to her eccentric ideas and eclectic style. Mackenzie Schmidt, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for eclectic 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eclectic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of eclectic was in 1683

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Dictionary Entries Near eclectic

Cite this Entry

“Eclectic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eclectic. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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- How to pronounce eclectic (audio)
1
: selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines or methods
2
: of, relating to, or practicing eclecticism
eclectically adverb

eclectic

2 of 2 noun
: one who uses an eclectic method or approach

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