idiosyncrasy
noun
id·i·o·syn·cra·sy
ˌi-dē-ə-ˈsiŋ-krə-sē 
plural idiosyncrasies
1
a
: 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
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
This has been the friction that’s underneath all of the idiosyncrasy.
—
Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Sprites is the very best idiosyncrasies of Britain that comedy and horror audiences around the world have loved so much since Monty Python.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
But independence can also seem like idiosyncrasy, or merely choosing different corners to cut.
—Helen Ouyang, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
The wonderfully ridiculous brainchild of co-stars/directors Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, the mockumentary follows a group of vampires living in an apartment in New Zealand and struggling with the idiosyncrasies of modern times.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idiosyncrasy
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Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
Sprites is the very best idiosyncrasies of Britain that comedy and horror audiences around the world have loved so much since Monty Python.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2025
But independence can also seem like idiosyncrasy, or merely choosing different corners to cut.
—Helen Ouyang, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2025
The wonderfully ridiculous brainchild of co-stars/directors Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, the mockumentary follows a group of vampires living in an apartment in New Zealand and struggling with the idiosyncrasies of modern times.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idiosyncrasy
Cite this Entry
“Idiosyncrasy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idiosyncrasy. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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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