idiosyncrasy

noun

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id·i·o·syn·cra·sy | \ ˌi-dē-ə-ˈsiŋ-krə-sē

plural idiosyncrasies

Definition of idiosyncrasy

1a : a peculiarity of constitution or temperament : an individualizing characteristic or quality

b : individual hypersensitiveness (as to a drug or food)

2 : characteristic peculiarity (as of temperament) broadly : eccentricity

Other Words from idiosyncrasy Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about idiosyncrasy

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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 idiosyncracies.

Recent Examples on the Web While safety systems and a capable chassis allow the driver to deal with the idiosyncrasies of winter drivers outside, occupants can carry on in oblivious bliss. — cleveland, "Big Volkswagen Atlas shrugs off the snow," 8 Feb. 2020 That, plus the film retains Tarantino’s idiosyncrasies, from extreme gore to foot worship. — Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, "Oscars 2020 Spotlight: The Directors," 6 Feb. 2020 And Fort Point, like Anchor before it, is managing to draw on the city’s own idiosyncrasies. — Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, "San Francisco’s new hometown brewery," 31 Jan. 2020 New infectious diseases come out of the blue, each with its own idiosyncrasies that militate against detailed advance planning. — Robert Dingwall, Wired, "We Should Deescalate the War on the Coronavirus," 29 Jan. 2020 And interacting with customers has its own idiosyncrasies. — Marc Bain, Quartz, "The unique challenges of selling fashion in China," 15 Jan. 2020 An American remake of the show, which placed the two families in New York and Pennsylvania, failed to capture the subtle idiosyncrasies that made the original so popular. — The Economist, "I’m not going to lie “Gavin & Stacey” is a reminder that Britons can put differences aside," 26 Dec. 2019 Irving is also an unusual teammate prone to idiosyncrasies, given to withdrawing, given to making teammates wonder what's going on. — Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, "Opinion: Why did the Nets start firestorm over Kyrie Irving's behavior?," 29 Oct. 2019 Ghosn’s idiosyncrasies and gumption—and magnetism for controversy—remind me of another leader in the world of EVs: Elon Musk. — Elijah Wolfson, Time, "Carlos Ghosn, Now a Fugitive, Was an Electric-Car Visionary," 7 Jan. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'idiosyncrasy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

13 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Idiosyncrasy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idiosyncratic. Accessed 18 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for idiosyncrasy

idiosyncrasy

noun

English Language Learners Definition of idiosyncrasy

: an unusual way in which a particular person behaves or thinks

: an unusual part or feature of something

See the full definition for idiosyncrasy in the English Language Learners Dictionary

idiosyncrasy

noun

id·i·o·syn·cra·sy | \ ˌi-dē-ə-ˈsiŋ-krə-sē

plural idiosyncrasies

Kids Definition of idiosyncrasy

: an unusual way of behaving or thinking that is characteristic of a person When you know someone a long time, you become accustomed to their idiosyncrasies …— Lemony Snicket, The Ersatz Elevator

idiosyncrasy

noun

id·io·syn·cra·sy | \ ˌid-ē-ə-ˈsiŋ-krə-sē

plural idiosyncrasies