eccentric

especially British, ex·cen·tric

[ik-sen-trik, ek-]

adjective

1. deviating from the recognized or customary character, practice, etc.; irregular; erratic; peculiar; odd.

   eccentric conduct;

   an eccentric person.

   Synonyms: bizarre, weird, strange
   Antonyms: conventional, customary, ordinary, regular, normal

2. Geometry.,  not having the same center; not concentric: used especially of two circles or spheres at least one of which contains the centers of both.

3. (of an axis, axle, etc.) not situated in the center.

4. Machinery.,  having the axis or support away from the center.

   an eccentric wheel.

5. Astronomy.,  deviating from a circular form, as an elliptic orbit.

noun

1. a person who has an unusual, peculiar, or odd personality, set of beliefs, or behavior pattern.

2. something that is unusual, peculiar, or odd.

3. Machinery.,  a device for converting circular motion into rectilinear motion, consisting of a disk fixed somewhat off-center to a revolving shaft, and working freely in a surrounding collar eccentricstrap, to which a rod eccentricrod is attached.

eccentric

/ ɪkˈsɛntrɪk /

adjective

1. deviating or departing from convention, esp in a bizarre manner; irregular or odd

2. situated away from the centre or the axis

3. not having a common centre Compare concentric

   eccentric circles

4. not precisely circular

noun

1. a person who deviates from normal forms of behaviour, esp in a bizarre manner

2. a device for converting rotary motion to reciprocating motion

Other Word Forms

• eccentrical adjective
• eccentrically adverb
• noneccentric adjective
• noneccentrically adverb
• uneccentric adjective
• uneccentrically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of eccentric¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Medieval Latin eccentricus, from Greek ékkentr(os) “out of center” ( ec-, center ) + Latin -icus -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of eccentric¹

C16: from Medieval Latin eccentricus, from Greek ekkentros out of centre, from ek- _ex- ¹ + kentron centre

Example Sentences

It is the story of Mary Roy, her formidable, mercurial mother: feminist icon, educator, crusader, eccentric, bully, inspiration.

From BBC

She claimed the event was filled with “occult symbols” and ceremonies, calling it not just an eccentric festival but “one of the most effective tools for Satan to misdirect souls away from our Heavenly Father.”

From Los Angeles Times

Maya, his second wife, watches as he gambles his reputation to work on the pet project — time travel — of an eccentric billionaire.

From Los Angeles Times

Campos, Mexico’s flamboyant, eccentric and colorfully dressed goalkeeper, is often left off the list of the most important MLS signings.

From Los Angeles Times

While Pildas was capturing the seven architects 45 years ago, he was also busy chronicling the city’s street culture — jazz clubs, boulevard eccentrics, decaying movie palaces and bohemian artists.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bizarre 
• curious 
• erratic 
• funny 
• idiosyncratic 
• kooky 
• nutty 
• odd 
• offbeat 
• outlandish 
• peculiar 
• quirky 
• strange 
• unconventional 
• weird 
• whimsical