What does eclectic mean?
Eclectic is an adjective describing something composed of elements drawn from many different sources, styles, or traditions rather than following one single system. A person with eclectic taste enjoys a broad, varied mixture — perhaps jazz, hip-hop, and opera side by side — while an eclectic building might combine features of several architectural periods. The word derives from the Greek eklektikos, 'able to pick out,' and entered English in the early seventeenth century, originally describing philosophers who chose doctrines selectively from competing schools. In modern usage it most often characterizes art, design, music, cuisine, and personal style, and it typically carries favorable connotations of breadth, curiosity, and sophistication, though it can occasionally suggest a lack of unified vision. Related words such as select, collect, and elect share its ancient root.
Drawing ideas, styles, or tastes from a broad and diverse range of sources rather than adhering to a single system.
"The gallery's eclectic exhibition mixed Renaissance portraits with contemporary street photography."
A person who adopts ideas or styles from a variety of sources rather than following one school of thought; an adherent of eclecticism.
"As a philosopher he was an eclectic, borrowing from Stoics and Epicureans alike."
This noun sense is comparatively rare and mostly found in discussions of philosophy.
Rarely used; the plural appears chiefly in philosophical contexts referring to multiple adherents of eclecticism.
"The ancient eclectics drew freely on every school of thought available to them."
'Eclectic' comes from the Greek for 'picking out' — the same root that gives us 'elect' — so an eclectic person is literally someone who picks only the best from everything.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of eclectic
Eclectic comes from the Greek adjective eklektikos, meaning 'able to pick out' or 'choosing the best,' derived from eklegein ('to pick out, select'), formed from ek ('out') plus legein ('to gather, choose'). It was first applied in English, during the early seventeenth century, to certain ancient philosophers who did not commit to any single school but selected doctrines they judged best from each. The same Indo-European root *leg- ('to gather') underlies related words such as select, collect, elect, and intellect.
Related word forms
How eclectic is actually used
Generally neutral to positive in tone, often suggesting sophistication or open-mindedness in taste; occasionally used mildly critically to imply a lack of coherence or consistency. Commonly used of art, music, fashion, interior design, and philosophy.
Easily confused with eclectic
'Eccentric' describes someone unconventional or odd in behavior, while 'eclectic' describes a selection drawn from many different sources.