sui generis
adjective
ˌsü-ē-ˈje-
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English contains many terms that ultimately trace back to the Latin forms gener- or "genus" (which are variously translated as "birth," "race," "kind," and "class"). Offspring of those roots include "general," "generate," "generous," "generic," "degenerate," and "gender." But "sui generis" is truly a one-of-a-kind "gener-" descendant that English speakers have used for singular things since the late 1600s. Its earliest uses were in scientific contexts, where it identified substances, principles, diseases, and even rocks that were unique or that seemed to be the only representative of their class or group. By the early 1900s, however, "sui generis" had expanded beyond solely scientific contexts, and it is now used more generally for anything that stands alone.
Examples of sui generis in a Sentence
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
But the widespread panic and concerted opposition within Jordan suggest that the looming crisis is sui generis in its severity.
—Curtis R. Ryan, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025
Dylan, of course, is sui generis, the kind of transcendent cultural avatar who comes along once in a century.
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Feb. 2025
That decades-old advertising slogan succinctly captures the brand promise of the sui generis American business that marks its 80th anniversary this year.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sui generis
Cite this Entry
“Sui generis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sui%20generis. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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sui generis
adjective
National Law JournalLatin, of its own kind
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