eclectic

1 of 2

adjective

eclec·tic i-ˈklek-tik How to pronounce eclectic (audio)

: composed of elements drawn from various sources

also : heterogeneous

: selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles

eclectically

i-ˈklek-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce eclectic (audio)

adverb

eclectic

2 of 2

noun

: one who uses a method or approach that is composed of elements drawn from various sources : one who uses an eclectic method or approach

Did you know?

Eclectic Has a Philosophical History

Eclectic comes from the Greek eklektikos (meaning "selective"), from the verb eklegein, "to select." Eclectic was originally applied to ancient philosophers who were not committed to any single system of philosophy but instead selected whichever doctrines pleased them from every school of thought. Later, the word's use broadened to cover other selective natures. "Hard by, the central slab is thick with books / Diverse, but which the true eclectic mind / Knows how to group, and gather out of each / Their frequent wisdoms...." In this 19th century example from a poem by Arthur Joseph Munby, for example, the word is applied to literature lovers who cull selective works from libraries.

Example Sentences

Adjective All around us, fishers galumphed past. … They carried an eclectic array of rods, nets, buckets and coolers.

Stephen C. Sautner, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2000 Her witty, mordant and splendidly vinegary observations were informed by broad and eclectic reading.

George F. Will, Newsweek, 24 May 1999 The polo crowd is eclectic and dangerously hagridden with narcissism and treachery, and that is the way they like it.

Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994 … big wheels of country bread and eclectic selections of pâtés, hams, cheeses, honey and all sorts of homemade cookies and sweets.

Per-Henrik Mansson, Wine Spectator, 28 Feb. 1993 The collection includes an eclectic mix of historical artifacts. the museum's eclectic collection has everything from a giraffe skeleton to medieval musical instruments See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Versus the World as a contestant for the first time, with Canada's Drag Race breakouts Jimbo and Lemon rounding out the eclectic group.

Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 17 Jan. 2022 Bowie cobbled together an eclectic group of musicians — guitarists Earl Slick and Carlos Alomar, pianist Roy Bittan, bassist George Murray, and drummer Dennis Davis — inside Cherokee Studios with producer Harry Maslin.

Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2022 His taste in pictures is eclectic—to say the least.

ELLE Decor, 1 Sep. 2022 An eclectic group of pretentious rich and famous gather for the weekend at a hunting resort.

Chaise Sanders, Country Living, 2 Aug. 2022 The staging area fills early on Saturday morning with an eclectic group of participants.

Basemwasef, Robb Report, 28 July 2022 Tapping in with an eclectic group of veteran producers, each song varies in melodies, rhythm, and vocal arrangements.

Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 19 July 2022 The company the Nationals would be joining is certainly an eclectic group.

Jerry Beach, Forbes, 1 July 2022 The field in Foxborough is an eclectic group of 84 golfers — 53 amateurs and 31 professionals.

Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 June 2022

Noun

Central Lodi has blocks filled with bike shops and clothing stores, wine bars and beer joints, white-linen dining and ethnic eclectics.

Ken Van Vechten, latimes.com, 21 Dec. 2017 By allying himself with the eclectics, Lloyd was ostracized by regular pharmacists.

Jeff Suess, Cincinnati.com, 27 Oct. 2017 Borrow Vintage + Eclectic, which rents and retails furniture, home accessories by local designers, is hosting a designer's showcase and open house from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Nikki Delamotte, cleveland.com, 21 July 2017 See More

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Greek eklektikós "picking out, selecting what appears to be best," from eklektós "picked out, select" (verbal adjective of eklégein "to pick out, select," from ek- ec- + légein "to collect, gather, count, say") + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at legend

Noun

borrowed from Greek eklektikós "any of a group of philosophers who selected beliefs from a variety of schools of thought," noun derivative of eklektikós eclectic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1683, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1817, in the meaning defined above

单词	eclectic
释义	eclectic 1 of 2 adjective eclec·tic i-ˈklek-tik e- 1 : composed of elements drawn from various sources also : heterogeneous 2 : selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles eclectically i-ˈklek-ti-k(ə-)lē e- adverb eclectic 2 of 2 noun : one who uses a method or approach that is composed of elements drawn from various sources : one who uses an eclectic method or approach Did you know? Eclectic Has a Philosophical History Eclectic comes from the Greek eklektikos (meaning "selective"), from the verb eklegein, "to select." Eclectic was originally applied to ancient philosophers who were not committed to any single system of philosophy but instead selected whichever doctrines pleased them from every school of thought. Later, the word's use broadened to cover other selective natures. "Hard by, the central slab is thick with books / Diverse, but which the true eclectic mind / Knows how to group, and gather out of each / Their frequent wisdoms...." In this 19th century example from a poem by Arthur Joseph Munby, for example, the word is applied to literature lovers who cull selective works from libraries. Synonyms Adjective assorted heterogeneous indiscriminate kitchen-sink magpie miscellaneous mixed motley patchwork piebald promiscuous raggle-taggle ragtag varied See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Adjective All around us, fishers galumphed past. … They carried an eclectic array of rods, nets, buckets and coolers. Stephen C. Sautner, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2000 Her witty, mordant and splendidly vinegary observations were informed by broad and eclectic reading. George F. Will, Newsweek, 24 May 1999 The polo crowd is eclectic and dangerously hagridden with narcissism and treachery, and that is the way they like it. Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone, 15 Dec. 1994 … big wheels of country bread and eclectic selections of pâtés, hams, cheeses, honey and all sorts of homemade cookies and sweets. Per-Henrik Mansson, Wine Spectator, 28 Feb. 1993 The collection includes an eclectic mix of historical artifacts. the museum's eclectic collection has everything from a giraffe skeleton to medieval musical instruments See More Recent Examples on the Web Adjective Versus the World as a contestant for the first time, with Canada's Drag Race breakouts Jimbo and Lemon rounding out the eclectic group. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 17 Jan. 2022 Bowie cobbled together an eclectic group of musicians — guitarists Earl Slick and Carlos Alomar, pianist Roy Bittan, bassist George Murray, and drummer Dennis Davis — inside Cherokee Studios with producer Harry Maslin. Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2022 His taste in pictures is eclectic—to say the least. ELLE Decor, 1 Sep. 2022 An eclectic group of pretentious rich and famous gather for the weekend at a hunting resort. Chaise Sanders, Country Living, 2 Aug. 2022 The staging area fills early on Saturday morning with an eclectic group of participants. Basemwasef, Robb Report, 28 July 2022 Tapping in with an eclectic group of veteran producers, each song varies in melodies, rhythm, and vocal arrangements. Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 19 July 2022 The company the Nationals would be joining is certainly an eclectic group. Jerry Beach, Forbes, 1 July 2022 The field in Foxborough is an eclectic group of 84 golfers — 53 amateurs and 31 professionals. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 June 2022 Noun Central Lodi has blocks filled with bike shops and clothing stores, wine bars and beer joints, white-linen dining and ethnic eclectics. Ken Van Vechten, latimes.com, 21 Dec. 2017 By allying himself with the eclectics, Lloyd was ostracized by regular pharmacists. Jeff Suess, Cincinnati.com, 27 Oct. 2017 Borrow Vintage + Eclectic, which rents and retails furniture, home accessories by local designers, is hosting a designer's showcase and open house from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Nikki Delamotte, cleveland.com, 21 July 2017 See More Word History Etymology Adjective borrowed from Greek eklektikós "picking out, selecting what appears to be best," from eklektós "picked out, select" (verbal adjective of eklégein "to pick out, select," from ek- ec- + légein "to collect, gather, count, say") + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at legend Noun borrowed from Greek eklektikós "any of a group of philosophers who selected beliefs from a variety of schools of thought," noun derivative of eklektikós eclectic entry 1 First Known Use Adjective 1683, in the meaning defined at sense 2 Noun 1817, in the meaning defined above Kids Definition eclectic adjective eclec·tic e-ˈklek-tik, i- : including things taken from many different sources The radio station plays an eclectic mix of music. Medical Definition eclectic 1 of 2 adjective eclec·tic e-ˈklek-tik, i- 1 : selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines or methods 2 : of, relating to, or practicing eclecticism eclectic 2 of 2 noun : one who uses an eclectic method or approach eclectic adjective as in varied consisting of many things of different sorts the museum's eclectic collection has everything from a giraffe skeleton to medieval musical instruments Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance varied diverse mixed assorted chaotic heterogeneous miscellaneous messy patchwork indiscriminate promiscuous motley magpie ragtag various multifarious raggle-taggle kitchen-sink combined divergent disparate littered cluttered jumbled piebald confused blended muddled manifold sundry multiplex hybrid intermingled disheveled disordered multiple amalgamated fused intermixed myriad dishevelled mingled incorporated disarranged messed conglomerate composite commingled disarrayed merged unsorted commixed unclassified farraginous conglomerated Antonyms & Near Antonyms homogeneous same uniform distinctive identical monolithic like individual distinct separate alike See More
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eclectic

adjective

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

adjective

Medical Definition

adjective

noun

adjective