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
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
Pickles frequently appear in comedic settings, from cartoon characters struggling with oversized jars to absurd internet memes celebrating the eccentricity of pickle enthusiasts.
—
Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
Rocketship wouldn’t return to their original sound until 2006’s Here Comes… Rocketship, and by then the spark of young love had faded, replaced by production experimentation and characteristic eccentricity.
—David Glickman, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
In addition to Dougie, Rockin’ Grandma’s employees all have their eccentricities.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
With the exception of the central character played by Judy Greer, all the figures onscreen display the sort of eccentricities that are presumably meant to be either amusing or endearing but instead simply come across as odd.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for eccentricity
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Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
Rocketship wouldn’t return to their original sound until 2006’s Here Comes… Rocketship, and by then the spark of young love had faded, replaced by production experimentation and characteristic eccentricity.
—David Glickman, Pitchfork, 27 Mar. 2026
In addition to Dougie, Rockin’ Grandma’s employees all have their eccentricities.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
With the exception of the central character played by Judy Greer, all the figures onscreen display the sort of eccentricities that are presumably meant to be either amusing or endearing but instead simply come across as odd.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for eccentricity
Cite this Entry
“Eccentricity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eccentricity. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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