eccentricity

noun

ec·​cen·​tric·​i·​ty ˌek-(ˌ)sen-ˈtri-sə-tē 

plural eccentricities

1

a

: the quality or state of being eccentric

b

: deviation from an established pattern or norm

especially : odd or whimsical behavior

2

a

: a mathematical constant that for a given conic section is the ratio of the distances from any point of the conic section to a focus and the corresponding directrix

b

: the eccentricity of an astronomical orbit used as a measure of its deviation from circularity

Synonyms

• crotchet
• curiosity
• erraticism
• idiosyncrasy
• individualism
• kink
• mannerism
• oddity
• peculiarity
• quiddity
• quip
• quirk
• singularity
• tic
• trick
• twist

Examples of eccentricity in a Sentence

Some people weren't very tolerant of his eccentricity.

Talking to her plants is one of her many eccentricities.

Recent Examples on the Web

Brain Dead Studios What’s spring without a little eccentricity and who’s more eccentric a filmmaker than Wes Anderson? —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 4 Mar. 2025

Also key is another relationship, as Zellweger brings Southern verve and a bit of eccentricity to a spirited farmer who strikes up a close bond with Kidman's character. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025

Daniel Lee’s collection for Burberry continues to underscore the eccentricity of what Britain represents with guest appearances from Jason Isaacs, Lesley Manville, and Richard E. Grant. —Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 25 Feb. 2025

Certainly, trying to recreate the smart-alecky charisma of Michael J. Fox and the genius eccentricity of Christopher Lloyd is a thankless task. —Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin excentricitāt-, excentricitās, from ecentricus, excentricus "not having the earth exactly at its center, eccentric entry 1" + Latin -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for eccentricity

• authenticity
• chromaticity
• concentricity
• domesticity
• elasticity
• electricity
• iconicity
• metallicity
• multiplicity
• specificity
• synchronicity
• analyticity

Kids Definition

eccentricity

noun

ec·​cen·​tric·​i·​ty ˌek-ˌsen-ˈtris-ət-ē 

plural eccentricities

1

a

: the quality or state of being eccentric

b

: something that does not follow an established pattern, norm, or rule

especially : unusual behavior

2

: the amount by which a nearly circular path is not circular

an orbit's eccentricity