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
Or are the effects of aerosols specific to the idiosyncrasies of lightning generation?
—
Chris Wright, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
They were determined not to repeat those early mistakes and, above all, to build a sporting structure that did not depend on the idiosyncrasies of the coach.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Dupieux pays homage to Dalí’s artistic genius, his idiosyncrasies, and his supreme ego in an offbeat, absurdist riff that sees a French journalist (Anaïs Demoustier) repeatedly meeting the artist to begin an interview for a documentary film project that never starts shooting.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2024
Their value lies in their idiosyncrasies—their passionate insistence on talking about chimps and ancient pyramids, say, rather than the budget ceiling—and in their authenticity, which entails an aversion to memorizing talking points.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idiosyncrasy
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Chris Wright, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
They were determined not to repeat those early mistakes and, above all, to build a sporting structure that did not depend on the idiosyncrasies of the coach.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Dupieux pays homage to Dalí’s artistic genius, his idiosyncrasies, and his supreme ego in an offbeat, absurdist riff that sees a French journalist (Anaïs Demoustier) repeatedly meeting the artist to begin an interview for a documentary film project that never starts shooting.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2024
Their value lies in their idiosyncrasies—their passionate insistence on talking about chimps and ancient pyramids, say, rather than the budget ceiling—and in their authenticity, which entails an aversion to memorizing talking points.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 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 3 Apr. 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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