unique

adjective \ yu̇-ˈnēk \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of unique

1 : being the only one : sole

his unique concern was his own comfort

I can't walk away with a unique copy. Suppose I lost it?
—Kingsley Amis

the unique factorization of a number into prime factors

2 a : being without a like or equal : unequaled

could stare at the flames, each one new, violent, unique
—Robert Coover

b : distinctively characteristic : peculiar 1

this is not a condition unique to California
—Ronald Reagan

3 : unusual

a very unique ball-point pen

we were fairly unique, the sixty of us, in that there wasn't one good mixer in the bunch
—J. D. Salinger

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uniquely

adverb

—

uniqueness

noun

See unique defined for English-language learners

See unique defined for kids

Can something be very unique or somewhat unique?

Many commentators have objected to the comparison or modification (as by somewhat or very) of unique, often asserting that a thing is either unique or it is not. Objections are based chiefly on the assumption that unique has but a single absolute sense, an assumption contradicted by information readily available in a dictionary. Unique dates back to the 17th century but was little used until the end of the 18th when, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, it was reacquired from French. H. J. Todd entered it as a foreign word in his edition (1818) of Johnson's Dictionary, characterizing it as "affected and useless." Around the middle of the 19th century it ceased to be considered foreign and came into considerable popular use. With popular use came a broadening of application beyond the original two meanings (here numbered senses 1 and 2a). In modern use both comparison and modification are widespread and standard but are confined to the extended senses 2b and 3. When sense 1 or sense 2a is intended, unique is used without qualifying modifiers.

Examples of unique in a Sentence

There are no clear blueprints to be discovered in history that can help us shape the future as we wish. Each historical event is a unique congeries of factors, people, or chronology. —Margaret McMillan, Dangerous Games, 2008
[Tiger] Wood's unique skill set was on display again at last week's U.S. Open, but this victory was more visceral. It was all heart. —Alan Shipnuck, Sports Illustrated, 23 June 2008
Space is a strange and unique item—you can't take it to a lab and analyze it like beef jerky. —Bob Berman, Astronomy, November 2007
A century ago a doctor was considered to be part of a social elite. He—and medicine was then very much a masculine endeavor—had a unique mastery of a special body of knowledge. He professed a commitment to levels of competence and integrity that he expected society to respect and trust. —Richard Horton, New York Review of Books, 31 May 2007
Most stars are not born in isolation but instead in groups of several thousand to tens of thousands, all of which emerge from the same parent cloud of gas. Each cloud has a unique and homogeneous mix of chemical elements and isotopes, which its stellar progeny inherits. Even when the stars disperse, they retain their unique chemical tag … —Rodrigo Ibata et al., Scientific American, April 2007
As a dozen new books will testify, our nation is in the midst of a great barbecue renaissance, with each region proudly claiming its own unique style. —Ruth Reichl, Gourmet, July 2005
She's in the unique position of running for office against her husband.
Humans are unique among mammals in several respects.

Recent Examples of unique from the Web

Families will be encouraged to get children signed up on a registry, which will lead to tests and screenings to determine any unique education needs.

— Washington Post, "U.S. senator is first to give birth while in office," 10 Apr. 2018
Besides showcasing their unique style, Ebony’s throwback images also captured a community of Black women whose affinity for fashion and looking their best was a reflection of their aspirational goals and ambitions.

— amira rasool, Time, "How Black Women Have Influenced American Style and Beauty," 10 Apr. 2018
But where the Yeezy Boost 700 felt more in line with kicks like Balenciaga's Triple S or Dior Homme's newest dad sneaker, the 500 feels entirely unique.

— jake woolf, GQ, "Your Adidas Yeezy 500 Desert Rat "Blush" Buying Guide," 10 Apr. 2018
The cream uses a blend of unique ingredients, including ginger root extract and bisabolol, which are said to help bring down inflammation, tighten, and hydrate skin.

— jesa marie calaor, Allure, "Strivectin's TL Advanced Tightening Neck Cream Is the Best-Selling Neck Cream in the U.S.," 10 Apr. 2018
The Concert Band is a unique blend of more than 80 musicians composed of Eastern students, faculty, alumni, local music educators and talented musicians from the eastern Connecticut area.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Windham Edition," 10 Apr. 2018
IWLT Protective Base Suncream This unique sunscreen contains 70% more moisture than regular sunscreen without leaving a white, chalky finish.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "Hold the Phone: Costco Just Entered the Korean Beauty Game With This All-In-One Kit," 10 Apr. 2018
Many criticize the airline's unique boarding process and open seating.

— dawn gilbertson, azcentral, "Southwest Airlines named best U.S. carrier, but not every passenger feels the LUV," 10 Apr. 2018
Kamala Harris, of California, and Cory Booker, of New Jersey, hold unique ties to the social media giant.

— gregory krieg, CNN, "Two possible 2020 Democrats to watch when Zuckerberg testifies," 10 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of unique

French, from Latin unicus, from unus one — more at one

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1601

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

unique Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of unique

strange, singular, unique, peculiar, eccentric, erratic, odd, quaint, outlandish mean departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected. strange stresses unfamiliarity and may apply to the foreign, the unnatural, the unaccountable.

- a journey filled with strange sights

singular suggests individuality or puzzling strangeness.

- a singular feeling of impending disaster

unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel.

- a career unique in the annals of science

peculiar implies a marked distinctiveness.

- the peculiar status of America's first lady

eccentric suggests a wide divergence from the usual or normal especially in behavior.

- the eccentric eating habits of preschoolers

erratic stresses a capricious and unpredictable wandering or deviating.

- a friend's suddenly erratic behavior

odd applies to a departure from the regular or expected.

- an odd sense of humor

quaint suggests an old-fashioned but pleasant oddness.

- a quaint fishing village

outlandish applies to what is uncouth, bizarre, or barbaric.

- outlandish fashions of the time

UNIQUE Defined for English Language Learners

unique

adjective

Definition of unique for English Language Learners

—used to say that something or someone is unlike anything or anyone else
: very special or unusual
: belonging to or connected with only one particular thing, place, or person

UNIQUE Defined for Kids

unique

adjective \ yu̇-ˈnēk \

Definition of unique for Students

1 : being the only one of its kind

Every snowflake is unique.

2 : very unusual : notable

a unique talent

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uniquely

adverb

She is uniquely suited for this job.

—

uniqueness

noun

Learn More about unique

See words that rhyme with unique Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for unique Spanish Central: Translation of unique Nglish: Translation of unique for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of unique for Arabic speakers

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Definition of unique

uniquely

uniqueness

Can something be very unique or somewhat unique?

Examples of unique in a Sentence

Recent Examples of unique from the Web

Origin and Etymology of unique

unique Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of unique

UNIQUE Defined for English Language Learners

unique

Definition of unique for English Language Learners

UNIQUE Defined for Kids

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uniquely

uniqueness

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