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
Synonyms
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
As such, Woodcock’s everyday life is presented with a particular eye for the idiosyncrasies of being a creative genius—like the importance of quiet time at breakfast, where the designer sometimes sketches or otherwise mentally prepares for his creative tasks of the day ahead.
—
Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 26 June 2024
Every big-city agency has its own set of idiosyncrasies, but the cultural gap between agencies isn’t as big as some would believe, according to retired Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., Police Chief Charles Ramsey, who spent the first 30 years of his career working in Chicago.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2024
The Mathematical Pranksters behind Nicolas Bourbaki Bourbaki was gnomic and mythical, impossible to pin down; his mathematics just the opposite: unified, unambiguous, free of human idiosyncrasy.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024
Yet the studio pedigree and must-see visuals don’t mask its idiosyncrasies.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for idiosyncrasy 
Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 26 June 2024
Every big-city agency has its own set of idiosyncrasies, but the cultural gap between agencies isn’t as big as some would believe, according to retired Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., Police Chief Charles Ramsey, who spent the first 30 years of his career working in Chicago.
—Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2024
The Mathematical Pranksters behind Nicolas Bourbaki Bourbaki was gnomic and mythical, impossible to pin down; his mathematics just the opposite: unified, unambiguous, free of human idiosyncrasy.
—JSTOR Daily, 24 June 2024
Yet the studio pedigree and must-see visuals don’t mask its idiosyncrasies.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 24 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for idiosyncrasy
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'idiosyncrasy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near idiosyncrasy
Cite this Entry
“Idiosyncrasy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idiosyncrasy. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share