idiosyncrasy
noun
id·i·o·syn·cra·sy
ˌi-dē-ə-ˈsiŋ-krə-sē 
plural idiosyncrasies
1
: a peculiarity of constitution, behavior, or temperament : an individualizing characteristic or quality
idiosyncrasies of speech
… Byzantine describes the style that developed in the eastern Roman Empire. … Its idiosyncrasy was influenced by the abundance of hard stone, the shortage of wood, the eastern love of surface ornament, and the classical tradition.—
Philip Howard
Philip HowardWhen you know someone a long time, you become accustomed to their idiosyncrasies, which is a fancy word for their unique habits.—Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler)
Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler)GE executives examine each country's idiosyncrasies microscopically, then tailor a mix of products … and retail approaches to wring the best performance from each.—Linda Grant
Linda Grant
broadly
: eccentricity
Keeping elaborate files isn't Scheer's only idiosyncrasy; she has the strange habit of holding a pencil between her second and ring fingers … —Donald J. Barr
Donald J. Barr 2
: an unusual part or feature of something
From tiny, barely visible lines and dots to serif and non-serif typography … the world of vintage Rolex is positively filled with quirky idiosyncrasies …—Oren Hartov
Oren Hartov3
: individual hypersensitiveness (as to a drug or food)
The skin rash was considered to be due to a drug idiosyncrasy.
Examples of idiosyncrasy in a Sentence
Her habit of using “like” in every sentence was just one of her idiosyncrasies.
The current system has a few idiosyncrasies.
Recent Examples on the Web
Black bears are one of Carr's favorite animals, as their playful antics and uncanny idiosyncrasies reveal an intelligent soul behind beady eyes.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026
My bud Patrick Ryan talked with the stars about how the movie cheekily explores the power dynamics of submissive and dominant relationships, plus got the scoop on the idiosyncrasies of acting in the buff.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Nestle is not the first major consumer goods company to ditch ice cream, which brings with it bothersome idiosyncrasies such as season-dependent demand and a supply chain able to support frozen goods.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
This can’t be written off as a post-pandemic idiosyncrasy.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for idiosyncrasy
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Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026
My bud Patrick Ryan talked with the stars about how the movie cheekily explores the power dynamics of submissive and dominant relationships, plus got the scoop on the idiosyncrasies of acting in the buff.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026
Nestle is not the first major consumer goods company to ditch ice cream, which brings with it bothersome idiosyncrasies such as season-dependent demand and a supply chain able to support frozen goods.
—Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
This can’t be written off as a post-pandemic idiosyncrasy.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for idiosyncrasy
Cite this Entry
“Idiosyncrasy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idiosyncrasy. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
idiosyncrasy
noun
id·io·syn·cra·sy
ˌid-ē-ə-ˈsiŋ-krə-sē
plural idiosyncrasies
1
: a peculiarity of physical or mental constitution or temperament
2
: individual hypersensitiveness (as to a drug or food)
anemia accompanying the use of a sulfa drug is usually considered to be due to idiosyncrasy
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