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

And, as the world grows heavier, delight can be found in the eccentricities and achievements of our fellow humans. —Carolyn Wells, Longreads, 13 Dec. 2024

Come for the meta eccentricity, stay for a revelatory, movie-stealing performance from Adam Pearson. Where to watch: Video on demand What was 2024's best movie? —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024

That said, baseball is also a baffling sport played by fastidious people with numerous eccentricities and superstitions. —Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024

Anderson often encourages eccentricity in his stars, but Life Aquatic inspired a warmer, more vulnerable side in Blanchett, who plays the woman who attracts both famed oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) and the sweet, dopey Ned Plimpton (Owen Wilson), who may be Steve’s son. —Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024

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

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