idiosyncrasy

noun id·i·o·syn·cra·sy \ˌi-dē-ə-ˈsiŋ-krə-sē\

: an unusual way in which a particular person behaves or thinks

: an unusual part or feature of something

plural id·i·o·syn·cra·sies

Full Definition of IDIOSYNCRASY

a : a peculiarity of constitution or temperament : an individualizing characteristic or quality

b : individual hypersensitiveness (as to a drug or food)

: characteristic peculiarity (as of temperament); broadly : eccentricity

— id·i·o·syn·crat·ic \ˌi-dē-ō-(ˌ)sin-ˈkra-tik\ adjective

— id·i·o·syn·crat·i·cal·ly \-ˈkra-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See idiosyncrasy defined for English-language learners

See idiosyncrasy defined for kids

Origin of IDIOSYNCRASY

Greek idiosynkrasia, from idio- + synkerannynai to blend, from syn- + kerannynai to mingle, mix — more at crater

First Known Use: 1604

Related to IDIOSYNCRASY

Synonyms: crotchet, curiosity, eccentricity, erraticism, individualism, kink, mannerism, oddity, peculiarity, quiddity, quip, quirk, singularity, tic, trick, twist

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

IDIOSYNCRASY Defined for Kids

idiosyncrasy

noun id·i·o·syn·cra·sy \ˌi-dē-ə-ˈsiŋ-krə-sē\

plural id·i·o·syn·cra·sies

Definition of IDIOSYNCRASY for Kids

: an unusual way of behaving or thinking that is characteristic of a person <When you know someone a long time, you become accustomed to their idiosyncrasies … — Lemony Snicket, The Ersatz Elevator>

Medical Dictionary

idiosyncrasy

noun id·io·syn·cra·sy \ˌid-ē-ə-ˈsiŋ-krə-sē\

plural id·io·syn·cra·sies

Medical Definition of IDIOSYNCRASY

: a peculiarity of physical or mental constitution or temperament

: individual hypersensitiveness (as to a drug or food) <anemia accompanying the use of a sulfa drug is usually considered to be due to idiosyncrasy>