ENGLISH
REFERENCE

unique

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //juˈnik// UK //juːnˈiːk// unique Academic General-service

adj. being the only one of its kind. You use this to describe something that is special because nothing else is exactly like it.

adj. being the sole exemplar or the only one of its kind; existing as the only one. Often used in a non-absolute sense to mean highly unusual or distinctive, though this usage is frequently criticised in formal contexts.


SIMPLE

Every person has a unique set of fingerprints.

CONTEXTUAL

The museum houses a unique collection of ancient coins that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

COMPLEX

The architect's unique approach to urban planning combines sustainable materials with traditional aesthetics, creating a signature style that defies standard classification.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from French unique. Piecewise doublet of any.

Usage

In formal logic and linguistics, it is an absolute adjective and cannot be graded; however, in general usage, it is often modified by 'very' or 'quite'.

Pitfall

This is the most unique building.This is a unique building.Strictly speaking, 'unique' means 'one of a kind' and cannot be compared or graded with 'most' or 'very'.

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