atypical
ay-TIHP-ih-kuhl
Atypical (adj) means not typical; different from what is usual or expected. Example: “His reaction to the news was atypical — most people would have been furious.”
adj
1
Not typical; different from what is usual or expected.
"His reaction to the news was atypical — most people would have been furious."
"The clinic treats both typical and atypical presentations of the disease."
How to use atypical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOut of the ordinary; not matching the usual pattern.
Easily confused with
atypical antipsychotic
Common pairings
atypical case
atypical behaviour
atypical symptoms
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Word forms
- Plural
- atypicals
- Comparative
- more atypical
- Superlative
- most atypical
Fill the gap
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His reaction to the news was _____ — most people would have been furious.
Etymology
From Greek a- ("not") added to typical.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for atypical
See all rhymes for atypical →Frequently asked questions
What does “atypical” mean?
The word “atypical” means not typical; different from what is usual or expected. In plain terms, out of the ordinary; not matching the usual pattern.
How do you pronounce “atypical”?
“Atypical” is pronounced ay-TIHP-ih-kuhl (/eɪˈtɪp.ɪ.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “atypical” in a sentence?
Here is “atypical” used in a sentence: “His reaction to the news was atypical — most people would have been furious.”
What is the opposite of “atypical”?
The opposite of “atypical” — its antonyms — is typical.
What part of speech is “atypical”?
“Atypical” is an adjective.
Where does the word “atypical” come from?
The word “atypical” comes from Greek. From Greek a- ("not") added to typical.
Is “atypical” a common word?
“Atypical” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
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