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- pronunciation:
- yu
nik
- features:
- Language Note, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition 1: |
When something is unique, it is the only one of its type.
Everyone's fingerprints are unique. Nobody has fingerprints like yours.- synonyms:
- single, sole
- similar words:
- distinctive, individual, special
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| definition 2: |
When something is different from everything else, it is unique.
This company's crackers have a unique flavor that no other company has been able to imitate.The fact that Earth supports plant and animal life seems to make it unique in the solar system.- similar words:
- characteristic, singular
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| definition 3: |
When something is unique to a particular place, it is found only in that place. You cannot find it anywhere else. If something is unique to a certain type of animal, it is something that only that type of animal has.
The kangaroo is unique to Australia.Being able to fly in any direction is unique to hummingbirds. No other type of bird can do it. Hummingbirds can fly forward like other birds, but they can also fly backwards and up and down. |
| related words: |
characteristic, new, odd, only, original, particular, peculiar, rare, separate, sole |
| derivations: |
uniquely (adv.), uniqueness (n.) |
What is unique about the word unique? It comes from a Latin word meaning "one," and it means "having no equal" or "being the only one of its type." If something is unique, it cannot be "quite unique," "very unique," or "most unique"--it either is unique or it is not. The sweater Aunt Aggie knit for you is unique--it's one of a kind. The platypus's nose is unique--no other animal has such a snout. If you're not sure whether something is, in fact, unique, try "special" or "unusual" to describe it.
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