unique
existing as the only one or as the sole example; single; solitary in type or characteristics: a unique copy of an ancient manuscript.
having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable: Bach was unique in his handling of counterpoint.
limited in occurrence to a given class, situation, or area: a species unique to Australia.
limited to a single outcome or result; without alternative possibilities: Certain types of problems have unique solutions.
not typical; unusual: She has a very unique smile.
the embodiment of unique characteristics; the only specimen of a given kind: The unique is also the improbable.
Origin of unique
1usage note For unique
The earliest meanings of unique when it entered English around the beginning of the 17th century were “single, sole” and “having no equal.” By the mid-19th century unique had developed a wider meaning, “not typical, unusual,” and it is in this wider sense that it is compared: The foliage on the late-blooming plants is more unique than that on the earlier varieties. The comparison of so-called absolutes in senses that are not absolute is standard in all varieties of speech and writing.
See also a1, complete, perfect.
Other words from unique
- u·nique·ly, adverb
- u·nique·ness, noun
- non·u·nique, adjective
- non·u·nique·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for unique
/ (juːˈniːk) /
being the only one of a particular type; single; sole
without equal or like; unparalleled
informal very remarkable or unusual
maths
leading to only one result: the sum of two integers is unique
having precisely one value: the unique positive square root of 4 is 2
Origin of unique
1usage For unique
Derived forms of unique
- uniquely, adverb
- uniqueness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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