Something that is unique is the only one of its kind.
Each person's signature is unique.
The area has its own unique language, Catalan.
Synonyms: distinct, special, exclusive, peculiar More Synonyms of unique
uniquelyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
Because of the extreme cold, the Antarctic is a uniquely fragile environment.
Uniquely among the great world religions, Buddhism is rooted only in the universalexperience of suffering known to all human beings.
uniquenessuncountable noun
Each time I returned I was struck by the uniqueness of Australia and its people. [+ of]
2. adjective
You can use unique to describe things that you admire because they are very unusual and special.
[approval]
Brett's vocals are just unique.
Kauffman was a woman of unique talent and determination.
Synonyms: unparalleled, unrivalled, incomparable, inimitable More Synonyms of unique
uniquelyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
...people who consider themselves uniquely qualified to be president of the UnitedStates.
...a festival ambience that is uniquely conducive to the absorption of serious music.
3. adjective
If something is unique to one thing, person, group, or place, it concerns or belongs only to that thing, person, group, or place.
No one knows for sure why adolescence is unique to humans. [+ to]
This interesting and charming creature is unique to Borneo. [+ to]
Synonyms: exclusive to, particular to, peculiar to, found only in More Synonyms of unique
uniquelyadverb [ADVERB adjective]
The problem isn't uniquely American.
unique in British English
(juːˈniːk)
adjective
1.
being the only one of a particular type; single; sole
2.
without equal or like; unparalleled
3. informal
very remarkable or unusual
4. mathematics
a.
leading to only one result
the sum of two integers is unique
b.
having precisely one value
the unique positive square root of 4 is 2
▶ USAGE Unique is normally taken to describe an absolute state, i.e. one that cannot be qualified.Thus something is either unique or not unique; it cannot be rather unique or very unique. However, unique is sometimes used informally to mean very remarkable or unusual and this makes itpossible to use comparatives or intensifiers with it, although many people objectto this use
Derived forms
uniquely (uˈniquely)
adverb
uniqueness (uˈniqueness)
noun
Word origin
C17: via French from Latin ūnicus unparalleled, from ūnus one
unique in American English
(juˈnik)
adjective
1.
one and only; single; sole
a unique specimen
2.
having no like or equal; unparalleled
a unique achievement
3.
highly unusual, extraordinary, rare, etc.
a common usage still objected to by some
Derived forms
uniquely (uˈniquely)
adverb
uniqueness (uˈniqueness)
noun
Word origin
Fr < L unicus, single < unus, one
Examples of 'unique' in a sentence
unique
How much hearing an implant provides is unique to each individual.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He was an incredibly unique individual.
The Sun (2016)
Rightly, he considers himself a unique force.
The Sun (2016)
For most of scientific history, humans have considered themselves unique in their cognitive abilities.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
The current conditions are unusual but not unique.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The job of a serviceman or woman is unique.
The Sun (2013)
This group is unique because it is the first time they have been together.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Yet we have a unique opportunity to consider our future and who we desire to be.
Christianity Today (2000)
There are so many unique people here and students go on to do great things.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You will need one unique code from the back page.
The Sun (2015)
To see the unique and valuable person that is still very much there.
The Sun (2011)
You are special and unique and fabulous.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It is unusual but not unique weather.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Surely this was the foot of the unique woman who had so long eluded him.
Clerk, Jayana & Siegel, Ruth Modern Literatures of the Non-Western World: Where the Waters Are Born (1995)
The carefully planned ritualistic murder was considered unique by detectives.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Everyone is unique and people should be encouraged to express their individual identities.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The buildings are beautiful and offer the potential to design bespoke spaces that are unique and individual.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Your voice is unique, so use it.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
With hundreds of finishes and colours to choose from, the results are unique and uniquely comfortable.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
If your business is not unique, use your imagination.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It is a unique place, but we just realised we needed more space.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The results offer a unique snapshot of life in Britain today.
The Sun (2011)
To book your experience, simply grab one unique code from the back page and follow the steps below.
The Sun (2016)
The researchers studied two young males that shared the same dialect, a set of calls unique to a particular social group of whales.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
unique
British English: unique /juːˈniːk/ ADJECTIVE
Something that is unique is the only one of its kind.
Each person's signature is unique.
American English: unique
Arabic: فَرِيد
Brazilian Portuguese: único
Chinese: 独特的
Croatian: jedinstven
Czech: jedinečný
Danish: unik
Dutch: uniek
European Spanish: único especial
Finnish: ainutlaatuinen
French: unique
German: einzigartig
Greek: μοναδικός
Italian: unico
Japanese: 独特の
Korean: 독특한
Norwegian: unik
Polish: wyjątkowy
European Portuguese: único
Romanian: unic
Russian: уникальный
Latin American Spanish: único extraordinario, excelente
Swedish: unik
Thai: มีลักษณะเฉพาะ
Turkish: eşsiz
Ukrainian: унікальний
Vietnamese: duy nhất
All related terms of 'unique'
unique gift
If someone has a gift for doing something, they have a natural ability for doing it.
unique way
If you refer to a way of doing something, you are referring to how you can do it, for example the action you can take or the method you can use to achieve it.
unique ability
Your ability to do something is the fact that you can do it.
unique identity
The identity of a person or place is the characteristics they have that distinguish them from others.
unique insight
If you gain insight or an insight into a complex situation or problem, you gain an accurate and deep understanding of it.
unique position
You can describe your situation at a particular time by saying that you are in a particular position .
unique visitor
A visitor is someone who is visiting a person or place.
unique atmosphere
The atmosphere of a place is the general impression that you get of it.
unique challenge
A challenge is something new and difficult which requires great effort and determination .
unique character
If you say that a place has character , you mean that it has an interesting or unusual quality which makes you notice it and like it.
unique opportunity
An opportunity is a situation in which it is possible for you to do something that you want to do.
unique personality
Your personality is your whole character and nature.
unique perspective
A particular perspective is a particular way of thinking about something, especially one that is influenced by your beliefs or experiences .
unique situation
You use situation to refer generally to what is happening in a particular place at a particular time, or to refer to what is happening to you.
unique contribution
If you make a contribution to something, you do something to help make it successful or to produce it.
unique selling point
a feature of a product that is emphasized in advertising material and sales presentations
USP
The USP of a product or service is a particular feature of it which can be used in advertising to show how it is different from, and better than, other similar products or services. USP is an abbreviation for 'Unique Selling Point'.
to be unique to sb/sth某人/某物独(獨)有的 (mǒurén/mǒuwù dúyǒu de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
being the only one of a particular type
The area has its own unique language, Catalan.
Synonyms
distinct
special
I usually reserve these outfits for special occasions.
exclusive
We have exclusive use of a 60-foot boat.
peculiar
We have our own peculiar way of doing things.
only
She was the only applicant for the job.
single
A single shot rang out.
lone
a lone motorist
solitary
one and only
sui generis
2 (adjective)
Definition
without equal or like
She was a woman of unique talent and determination.
Synonyms
unparalleled
His book was an unparalleled success.
unrivalled
He had an unrivalled knowledge of south Arabian society.
incomparable
a performance of incomparable brilliance
inimitable
She makes her point in her own inimitable way.
unmatched
a landscape of unmatched beauty
peerless
a peerless German soprano
unequalled
We offer an unequalled level of service.
matchless
His simplicity and apparent ease are matchless.
without equal
nonpareil
Sinatra was the nonpareil popular vocalist.
unexampled
3 (adjective)
Definition
concerning or belonging to a particular person, thing, or group
This interesting and charming creature is unique to Borneo.
Synonyms
exclusive to
particular to
peculiar to
found only in
characteristic of
typical of
Usage note
Unique with the meaning `being the only one' or `having no equal' describes an absolute state: a case unique in British law. In this use it cannot therefore be qualified; something is either unique or not unique. However, unique is also very commonly used in the sense of `remarkable' or `exceptional', particularly in the language of advertising, and in this meaning it can be used with qualifying words such as rather, quite, etc. Since many people object to this use, it is best avoided in formal and serious writing.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of exclusive
We have exclusive use of a 60-foot boat.
Synonyms
sole,
only,
full,
whole,
single,
private,
complete,
total,
entire,
unique,
absolute,
undivided,
unshared
in the sense of incomparable
Definition
so excellent as to be beyond or above comparison
a performance of incomparable brilliance
Synonyms
unequalled,
supreme,
unparalleled,
paramount,
superlative,
transcendent,
unrivalled,
inimitable,
unmatched,
peerless,
matchless,
beyond compare
in the sense of inimitable
Definition
impossible to imitate
She makes her point in her own inimitable way.
Synonyms
unique,
unparalleled,
unrivalled,
incomparable,
supreme,
consummate,
unmatched,
peerless,
unequalled,
matchless,
unsurpassable,
nonpareil,
unexampled
Synonyms of 'unique'
unique
Explore 'unique' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of lone
Definition
solitary
a lone motorist
Synonyms
solitary,
single,
separate,
one,
only,
sole,
by yourself,
unaccompanied
in the sense of matchless
Definition
unequalled
His simplicity and apparent ease are matchless.
Synonyms
unequalled,
unique,
unparalleled,
unrivalled,
perfect,
supreme,
exquisite,
consummate,
superlative,
inimitable,
incomparable,
unmatched,
peerless,
unsurpassed
in the sense of nonpareil
Sinatra was the nonpareil popular vocalist.
Synonyms
unequalled,
supreme,
unique,
unparalleled,
unrivalled,
incomparable,
unmatched,
peerless,
unsurpassed,
matchless
in the sense of only
Definition
alone of its or their kind
She was the only applicant for the job.
Synonyms
sole,
one,
single,
individual,
exclusive,
unique,
lone,
solitary,
one and only
in the sense of peculiar
Definition
distinct or special
We have our own peculiar way of doing things.
Synonyms
special,
private,
individual,
personal,
particular,
unique,
characteristic,
distinguishing,
distinct,
signature,
idiosyncratic
in the sense of peerless
Definition
having no equals
a peerless German soprano
Synonyms
unequalled,
excellent,
unique,
outstanding,
unparalleled,
superlative,
unrivalled,
second to none,
incomparable,
unmatched,
unsurpassed,
matchless,
beyond compare,
nonpareil
in the sense of single
Definition
existing alone
A single shot rang out.
Synonyms
one,
sole,
lone,
solitary,
only,
only one,
unique,
isolated,
singular
in the sense of special
Definition
not usual
I usually reserve these outfits for special occasions.
Synonyms
exceptional,
important,
significant,
particular,
unique,
unusual,
extraordinary,
distinguished,
memorable,
gala,
festive,
uncommon,
momentous,
out of the ordinary,
one in a million,
red-letter,
especial (formal)
in the sense of unequalled
Definition
greater, better, or more extreme than anything else of the same kind
We offer an unequalled level of service.
Synonyms
incomparable,
supreme,
unparalleled,
paramount,
transcendent,
unrivalled,
second to none,
pre-eminent,
inimitable,
unmatched,
peerless,
unsurpassed,
matchless,
beyond compare,
without equal,
nonpareil
in the sense of unexampled
Definition
without precedent
Synonyms
unprecedented,
unique,
unheard-of,
unparalleled,
unmatched,
unequalled
Additional synonyms
in the sense of unmatched
Definition
not equalled or surpassed
a landscape of unmatched beauty
Synonyms
unequalled,
supreme,
unparalleled,
paramount,
consummate,
unrivalled,
second to none,
incomparable,
peerless,
unsurpassed,
matchless,
beyond compare
in the sense of unrivalled
Definition
having no equal
He had an unrivalled knowledge of south Arabian society.