idiosyncrasy

noun

id·​i·​o·​syn·​cra·​sy ˌi-dē-ə-ˈsiŋ-krə-sē How to pronounce idiosyncrasy (audio)
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
idiosyncratic adjective
idiosyncratically adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Chan's lighthearted commentary on the idiosyncrasies from their older counterparts provides a humorous lens through which . Melissa Fleur Afshar, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Director Morii, according to the festival’s notes, spent a month traveling along the route himself, and that familiarity with the area’s idiosyncrasies and winding paths comes across loud and clear. Kambole Campbell, IndieWire, 2 Nov. 2024 In a way, this book of science also becomes a work of fiction because it’s shot through with the idiosyncrasies of the person writing it. Amy Brady, Scientific American, 22 Oct. 2024 Trench is born out of the tumult of those years, and throughout the record’s double-disc journey, Nuna comes out on the other side with a greater understanding of how to streamline her idiosyncrasies into a concise project. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for idiosyncrasy 

Word History

Etymology

Greek idiosynkrasia, from idio- + synkerannynai to blend, from syn- + kerannynai to mingle, mix — more at crater

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of idiosyncrasy was in 1604

Dictionary Entries Near idiosyncrasy

Cite this Entry

“Idiosyncrasy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idiosyncrasy. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

idiosyncrasy

noun
id·​io·​syn·​cra·​sy
ˌid-ē-ə-ˈsiŋ-krə-sē
plural idiosyncrasies
: a way of behaving or thinking that is characteristic of a person
idiosyncratic
ˌid-ē-ō-(ˌ)sin-ˈkrat-ik
adjective
idiosyncratically
-ˈkrat-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb

Medical Definition

idiosyncrasy

noun
id·​io·​syn·​cra·​sy ˌid-ē-ə-ˈsiŋ-krə-sē How to pronounce idiosyncrasy (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on idiosyncrasy

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