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uncharacteristic

uncharacteristic

14 5.4
Not usual for a person or thing
  • adjective
  • /ˌʌnˌkɛrɪktəˈrɪstɪk/
: poco habitual
  • It was uncharacteristic of her to arrive late to the meeting.
  • uncharacteristic changes in mood
  • uncharacteristic changes
  • uncharacteristic behavior

We can be cynical about the surprise aspect of this, or about Charlemagne's uncharacteristic modesty.

Examples

  • Among those said to be singing with uncharacteristic emotion was Augusta Johnson.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • It was uncharacteristic of me.

  • "Well, if she was, she brought it on herself," she said with an uncharacteristic lack of sympathy.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The linguistic scheme was totally uncharacteristic... and the DNA said it was a woman.

  • The big question in my brain was whether More was going to pursue her uncharacteristic line of questioning.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • There is an uncharacteristic development in the brain's emotional centers.

  • Believe me, we came out better than they did," he said with uncharacteristic arrogance.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • For the sake of discussion, I want to propose an uncharacteristic point of departure.

    Academic text (1995)
  • It's uncharacteristic of you to be so reticent about a subject so sensational.

  • Whatever nervousness or uncharacteristic behavior they saw in me, they attributed to the current tragic situation.

    Fiction book (1995)

Synonyms

strange
vsuncharacteristic
∞ 2.3

Unusual and slightly odd in a way you cannot easily understand

is the more general concept of not matching typical character or pattern
unusual
vsuncharacteristic
∞ 2.2

Not common and different from what people expect

focuses on being not typical of a specific person, thing, or situation
odd
vsuncharacteristic
878 1.0

Different from what is normal or expected

is the plain idea of being not typical without implying oddness
different
vsuncharacteristic
575 2.0

Not usual and not like what people expect

is the same idea but used specifically for lack of characteristic traits
uncommon
vsuncharacteristic
126 4.6

Not often found or seen and so rare

emphasizes lack of typical character rather than simple rarity
peculiar
vsuncharacteristic
101 4.6

Different from what is normal and expected

is similar but can be used more neutrally for lack of typical traits
out of the ordinary
vsuncharacteristic
68 4.1

Not usual and different from what people expect

is similar but stresses lack of usual character rather than exceptionality
out of character
vsuncharacteristic
29 4.2

Not how a person usually behaves

is the broader idea of being not typical in any person or thing
atypical
vsuncharacteristic
26 5.7

Different from what is usual or expected

is more general and highlights unusualness in people or situations
anomalous
vsuncharacteristic
22 8.1

Not like what is usual or expected

is less technical and focuses on being not typical in everyday contexts
aberrant
vsuncharacteristic
14 8.2

Different from what is normal, often in a way people see as wrong

is the neutral notion of being not typical without negative judgement
untypical
vsuncharacteristic
1 6.2

Not usual for people or things of the same kind

covers that same unusual quality but applies across people and things
non-typical
vsuncharacteristic
1 4.8

Not usual or expected

is the general label for being unlike the normal or expected case
unordinary
vsuncharacteristic
1 7.0

Not usual and different from what you expect

is similar but stresses unusualness tied to a person or situation
unwonted
vsuncharacteristic
  • Literature
1 9.9

Not usual or expected in a situation

is the common everyday way to say something is not typical
out-of-the-way
vsuncharacteristic
1 6.3

Not usual and often interesting or surprising

is the straightforward notion of not being typical or characteristic
unaverage
vsuncharacteristic
1 7.8

Different from what most people expect

is more neutral and describes not matching normal character or pattern

Antonyms

Typical of a person, place, or thing, showing its usual features

How Characteristic

typical
714 1.0
uncharacteristic
14 5.4
atypical
26 5.7

Surface Forms

uncharacteristic positive

Morphology

uncharacteristic = characteristic (transparent) = un + character + istic

The adjective 'characteristic' meaning 'typical' is directly negated by the productive prefix 'un-'; the meaning 'not typical' is straightforward.

Etymology

Uncharacteristic combines un- 'not' with characteristic, from character meaning 'personality' or 'usual way of acting'. So, uncharacteristic describes something that is 'not typical' for a person or thing.