eclectic
/ɪˈklɛktɪk
/adjective
1Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources: universities offering an eclectic mix of courses...
- He is very eclectic and his mix of abilities is so different from the common concept of an artist.
- Some music fans with extremely eclectic tastes may find this band's music appealing.
- By contrast, Olivia seems to have eclectic taste and her opinions about music neatly worked out.
Synonyms
wide-ranging, wide, broad, broad-ranging, broad-based, extensive, comprehensive, encyclopedic, general, universal, varied, diverse, diversified, catholic, liberal, cross-disciplinary, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, all-embracing, non-exclusive, inclusive, indiscriminate, many-sided, multifaceted, multifarious, heterogeneous, miscellaneous, assorted
selective, selecting, choosing, picking and choosing;
discriminating, discerning, critical
2 (Eclectic) Philosophy Denoting or belonging to a class of ancient philosophers who did not belong to or found any recognized school of thought but selected doctrines from various schools of thought.
noun
A person who derives ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.Douglas is the king of jazz's current crop of eclectics: He's the kind of guy who shows up at a Jewish wedding with a tango band and proceeds to play Bjork covers....
- But they are not just reactionary eclectics; they think they can twist and recombine architectural history in fresh and original ways that would have been unthinkable before modernism wiped the slate clean.
- The two strongest objections each approach levels at the other is the claim that eclectics are undisciplined, and that traditionalists are stagnated.
Derivatives
eclectically
- They gracefully span an eclectically broad repertoire with songs from Motown, Portishead, Bach and Bulgarian folk music.
- In the film, this was translated into a chronology of the years, eclectically soundtracking the film's events.
- Having said that, Ross has chosen eclectically and well and edited with skill.
eclecticism
/ noun ...- The style he developed was a thoroughly indigenous fusion of the traditions of Europe with Trinidad's folk art, coloured always by his own eclecticism.
- With such diverse instrumentation and determined eclecticism, the band is often categorized by music fans who are unforgiving in their rigidity.
- At a time when specialization and depth take precedence over exploration, Sontag's eclecticism is something we need more of.
Origin
Late 17th century (as a term in philosophy): from Greek eklektikos, from eklegein 'pick out', from ek 'out' + legein 'choose'.