Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

unique

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of unique

1 of, relating to, or belonging to a single person

  • a comedian who brings a unique and twisted perspective to contemporary social issues
Synonyms of unique

idiomatic, individual, individualized, particular, patented, peculiar, personal, personalized, private, privy, separate, singular, subjective
Words Related to unique

characteristic, distinctive, intimate

identifying, idiosyncratic

especial, express, special, specific

independent, nonconformist, self-directed, self-sufficient

custom, customized, specialized
Near Antonyms of unique

broad, prevailing, prevalent, widespread

common, normal, regular, typical
Antonyms of unique

general, generic, popular, public, shared, universal

2 being out of the ordinary

  • the restaurant, specializing in fusion cuisine, provides a truly unique dining experience for those who can afford it
Synonyms of unique

aberrant, aberrated, abnormal, anomalous, atypical, especial, exceeding, exceptional, extraordinaire, extraordinary, freak, odd, peculiar, phenomenal, preternatural, rare, singular, uncommon, uncustomary, unusual, unwonted
Words Related to unique

conspicuous, notable, noticeable, outstanding, prominent, remarkable, salient, striking

bizarre, deviant, eccentric, freakish, monstrous, oddball, outlandish, quaint, strange, weird

incomprehensible, inconceivable, incredible, unimaginable, unthinkable
Near Antonyms of unique

everyday, familiar, frequent
Antonyms of unique

common, customary, normal, ordinary, typical, unexceptional, unextraordinary, usual

3 being the one or ones of a class with no other members

  • the Mapparium, a huge glass globe that visitors can walk through, is unique—thereʼs not another one like it anywhere
Synonyms of unique

alone, lone, one, one-off, only, singular, sole, solitary, special, sui generis
Words Related to unique

single, solo, unaccompanied, unattended

incomparable, inimitable, matchless, peerless, unequaled (or unequalled), unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled (or unrivalled), unsurpassable, unsurpassed

distinct, distinctive, individual, separate

nonce
Near Antonyms of unique

divers, manifold, multifarious, myriad

assorted, heterogenous, miscellaneous, mixed, motley, patchwork, promiscuous, varied

popular, prevailing, prevalent, rampant

perennial, recurrent, repeated

4 noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced

  • a unique ability to add large sums in his head
Synonyms of unique

curious, extraordinary, funny, odd, offbeat, out-of-the-way, peculiar, queer, rare, singular, strange, unaccustomed, uncommon, uncustomary, unusual, weird
Words Related to unique

bizarre, eccentric, far-out, kooky (also kookie), oddball, outlandish, outré, way-out

aberrant, abnormal, atypical, exceptional, irregular

newsworthy, notable, noteworthy, noticeable, particular, remarkable, special
Near Antonyms of unique

unexceptional

expected, predictable

familiar, normal, regular, typical
Antonyms of unique

common, ordinary, plain, usual

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

Learn More about unique

  1. See words that rhyme with unique Dictionary: Definition of unique Spanish Central: Translation of unique Nglish: Translation of unique for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of unique for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up unique? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games