noun

idiosyncrasy

id-ee-oh-SING-kruh-see

Idiosyncrasy (noun) means an unusual habit or feature belonging to one particular person, which marks them out from everyone else. Example: “Writing every email in lower case is one of his idiosyncrasies.”

noun

An unusual habit or feature belonging to one particular person, which marks them out from everyone else.

"Writing every email in lower case is one of his idiosyncrasies."

"She loved his idiosyncrasies more than his virtues."

An odd or distinctive characteristic of a thing, place or system.

"Every old house has its idiosyncrasies, and this one groans at night."

"The tax code is full of idiosyncrasies that only specialists understand."

medical An unusual physical reaction that a particular individual has to a drug or food.

"The rash was put down to an idiosyncrasy rather than a true allergy."

How to Use Idiosyncrasy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA funny little habit or feature that belongs to just one person or thing.

When to use it

Formal but common; the adjective idiosyncratic is used more often than the noun.

Memory tip

Note the spelling trap: idiosyncrasy ends -sy, unlike democracy and aristocracy, which end -cy.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

idiosyncratic eccentricity idiom → aristocracy →

Common pairings

personal idiosyncrasy idiosyncrasies of the system charming idiosyncrasy

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The rash was put down to an _____ rather than a true allergy.

Etymology

From Greek idios meaning 'own' or 'private' and synkrasis meaning 'mixture' or 'temperament'.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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quirk peculiarity eccentricity mannerism foible oddity

Related Words

habit freak characteristic curiosity virtue anomaly oddity quirk

Rhymes for idiosyncrasy

easy peasy uneasy queasy greasy creasy fantasy ecstasy apostasy speakeasy

See all rhymes for idiosyncrasy →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an idiosyncrasy and a quirk?

They overlap almost completely, but quirk is shorter, warmer and more everyday, while idiosyncrasy is formal and suggests a settled trait rather than a one-off oddity.

How do you spell and pronounce idiosyncrasy?

It ends in -crasy, not -cracy, because it comes from krasis meaning mixture rather than kratos meaning power. Say id-ee-oh-SING-kruh-see, with the stress on the third syllable.

Is calling someone idiosyncratic a compliment?

It is usually mild and affectionate, suggesting individuality rather than fault. It can be a polite way of noting that someone is difficult, so tone and context matter.

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habit freak characteristic curiosity virtue anomaly oddity quirk