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one of a kind

one of a kind

66 3.6
Only one thing or person like it exists
  • idiom
translation icon : único
  • In custom manufacturing, one-of-a-kind products are manufactured one at a time.
  • a one-of-a-kind image

Like he's just truly one-of-a-kind and I cannot wait to meet him.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • "Most of these pieces are one of a kind, created by craftsmen who were masters in their day.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • South Beach is a one-of-a-kind place worth a visit.

    Academic text (2006)
  • "No, I think this is one of a kind, thank God," she said.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • It's one of a kind, a prototype.

  • Together, these features make the Commission truly one of a kind as a system for the settlement of disputes.

    Academic text (2000)
  • I thought I was unique, you know, one of a kind, dispensing advice no one else was capable of giving.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • But actually, Brooklyn Prince is one-of-a-kind on this planet.

  • When successful, the rewards far outweigh the challenges, because in the end you will enjoy unique, one-of-a-kind images.

    Academic text (2010)
  • It's one-of-a-kind, kid.

  • Each piece in the gallery is truly one of a kind, showcasing the artist's unique vision.

Synonyms

one and only
vsone of a kind
65 3.9

A single person or thing that is special and has no equal

is the neutral statement of being the only one without extra emphasis
singular
vsone of a kind
34 5.6

The only one of its kind

is plain being the only one without stressing exceptionality
unique
vsone of a kind
3 3.5

A person or thing unlike any other

is the longer phrase form rather than the single-word name
sui generis
vsone of a kind
  • Formal
1 9.9

One of a kind and unlike anything else

is simple single instance being rather than creating a separate class
first and last of its kind
vsone of a kind
8.5

A unique thing or event that will never happen again

is being the only one without implying it will not repeat

Antonyms

797 1.0

Happening often or seen in many places

683 1.0

Normal and not special or unusual

How Unique

one of a kind
66 3.6
unique
3.5
distinctive
104 3.9
uncommon
122 4.6
common
797 1.0

Surface Forms

one of a kind positive

Morphology

one + of + a + kind

The meaning is directly compositional: 'one' (a single) combined with 'of a kind' (belonging to a type) yields the inference that there is only a single item of that type, i.e. unique. This construction follows ordinary English noun-phrase logic and has close equivalents in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the words should be able to derive the meaning.

Etymology

One of a kind comes from the simple image of putting things into groups by kind and finding there is only one item in a group. So, it means 'unique' or 'the only one'.