What does unique mean?
Unique describes something that exists as the only one of its kind or is unlike anything else. In everyday use, it often conveys distinction, individuality, or special value: a unique voice, a unique landscape, or a unique opportunity. The word can also suggest exceptional quality, although that implication is sometimes vague and may need clarification in precise writing. Because unique literally refers to being one, it emphasizes incomparability or singularity rather than simply rarity. Something may be unusual because it is uncommon, while something is unique because it has no exact equivalent or duplicate. The word is common in British and American English and is especially frequent in descriptions of people, places, experiences, ideas, and characteristics that are strongly distinctive.
adjectiveExisting as the only one of its kind, or being unlike anything else. It can also mean exceptionally distinctive or remarkable.
- Being the only one of its kind.
- Being unlike other things and therefore especially distinctive or remarkable.
- Being individual or separate from anything else.
"The remote island is home to a unique species of bird found nowhere else."
"Each snowflake has a unique pattern."
"The documentary offers a unique perspective on the history of the region."
Unique literally carries the idea of “one”: its French form comes from the Latin word for one, ūnus.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unique come from?
Unique entered English in the early 17th century from French unique, which was borrowed from Latin ūnicus. The Latin adjective derives from ūnus, meaning “one,” the same root found in English words such as unity, uniform, unanimous, and unify.
Related word forms
How unique is actually used
In formal writing, unique should be reserved for genuinely distinctive things; broad promotional uses can sound vague and are often better made more specific.
Easily confused with unique
Unique means being the only one of its kind or exceptionally distinctive, whereas unusual means uncommon or different from what is normal.