English Explanatory Dictionary

eclectic

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Selecting a mixture of what appears to be best of various doctrines, methods or styles.
  2. Unrelated and unspecialized; heterogeneous.
noun
  1. Someone who selects according to the eclectic method.

Pronunciation

/ɛkˈlɛk.tɪk/ /ɪˈklɛk.tɪk/ en-us-eclectic.ogg en-au-eclectic.ogg

Word forms

eclectic more eclectic most eclectic eclectick eclectics

Etymology

From French éclectique, from Ancient Greek ἐκλεκτικός (eklektikós, “selective”), from ἐκλέγω (eklégō, “to pick, choose”), from ἐκ (ek, “out, from”) + λέγω (légō, “to choose, count”). Cognate to elect.

Synonyms

heterogeneous

Antonyms

exclusive homogeneous orthodox standard uniform

Related words

cherry pick heteroclite holistic

Derived words

eclectically eclecticism eclecticist eclecticize eclectic medicine eclection noneclectic uneclectic
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