one of a kind

One of a kind means unique. If something is one of a kind, there is no other of its kind, category, or class—nothing else is exactly the same as it.

The phrase is commonly used to describe unique objects or exceptional people (though of course all people are one of a kind).

It’s sometimes hyphenated when used as an adjective before a noun, as in Our shop specializes in hard-to-find and one-of-a-kind items. 

Example: You’re one of a kind, you know that? I’ve never met anyone else like you.

The phrase one of a kind has been used as an idiom meaning “unique” since at least the 1950s. In this context, kind refers to a certain type or category.

If something is truly one of a kind, there is nothing else like it within that category or at all—it’s literally the only one that exists. A coin that was the single one minted or an animal that’s the last of its species could both be called one of a kind. Sometimes, the phrase can be applied to abstract things, as in This is a one-of-a-kind experience—you won’t find this anywhere else in the world. Though every person is different in some way, the phrase one of a kind is used to describe people to emphasize how special they are (as opposed to pointing out that their DNA is entirely unique).

The phrase two of a kind means something completely different. It’s typically applied to two people who are very similar, as in Jeff and his friend Pete are two of a kind—they’re alike in almost every way.

What are some other forms related to one of a kind?

• one-of-a-kind (adjective)

What are some synonyms for one of a kind?

• unique

What are some words that share a root or word element with one of a kind? 

• two of a kind
• of a kind
• one-off

What are some words that often get used in discussing one of a kind?

• rare
• special
• exceptional
• custom
• different
• once in a lifetime

 

One of a kind is very commonly used as a way of saying things are unique or special.

Jayson Tatum: “I ain't never played with nobody like Smart. I ain't never met nobody like Smart. He is one of a kind.”

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) September 2, 2020

You’re one of a kind. You’ve got the power! Happy #WomensEqualityDay 💜👭✨ pic.twitter.com/dxFMZhPPM5

— iHeartRadio Broadway (@iHeartRadioBway) August 26, 2020

High art. A one-of-a-kind Porsche 911 GT2 RS on Pikes Peak. pic.twitter.com/kGDVp8BVz3

— Porsche Retail Group (@PorscheRetail) September 2, 2020

 

 

Is one of a kind used correctly in the following sentence?

Her talent is truly one of a kind—I’ve never seen another performer like her!