eccentric

eccentric — adjective

1. behaving or dressing in a way that is noticeably different from what most people

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

behaving or dressing in a way that is noticeably different from what most people consider normal, often in a pleasantly surprising or amusing way

Example

Manuela has some eccentric hobbies, like collecting antique door handles from across Europe.

collocation: eccentric hobbies

The old professor wore an eccentric purple hat shaped like a pineapple to every lecture.

eccentric + clothing item

Common collocations
  • eccentric behaviour
  • eccentric habits
  • eccentric dress
  • eccentric millionaire
  • eccentric personality
  • eccentric character
Synonyms
  • odd

    more neutral and less colourful; simply means not normal

  • peculiar

    suggests something strange in a way that is distinctive to the person or thing

  • quirky

    implies playful, unexpected habits with a light, charming feel

  • unconventional

    focuses on deliberately choosing not to follow social norms

Antonyms
  • conventional

    following accepted social norms and standards

  • normal

    typical and expected in behaviour or appearance

Usage Note

Frequently describes habits, clothing, or personality traits that are unusual but not harmful or disturbing. Often carries a mildly positive or affectionate tone.

Common Mistakes

My eccentric uncle needs medical help.
My eccentric uncle has some unusual hobbies, like painting rocks gold.
'eccentric' describes mild, often amusing oddness, not serious mental disturbance.

2. relating to circles or paths whose center point is at a different location from

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

relating to circles or paths whose center point is at a different location from another, or whose shape is not a perfect circle

Example

The comet follows an eccentric orbit that brings it close to the sun only once every century.

technical: eccentric orbit

An eccentric gear rotates around a point located away from its true centre.

Common collocations
  • eccentric orbit
  • eccentric circle
  • eccentric gear
  • eccentric cam
  • eccentric path
Synonyms
  • off-center

    more general and less technical; works in everyday contexts

  • non-concentric

    a direct synonym but even more technical and rare

Antonyms

Usage Note

Primarily used in technical contexts such as geometry, astronomy, and mechanical engineering. Not common in everyday conversation.

3. having a curved, stretched form that is narrower at the ends than in the middle,

3.adjectiveC1
Definition

having a curved, stretched form that is narrower at the ends than in the middle, resembling the shape of an egg

Example

The pool has an eccentric oval shape that makes it look like a large green leaf.

rare: eccentric oval shape

Eitan admired the eccentric curves of the old stone archway in the temple garden.

Common collocations
  • eccentric shape
  • eccentric curve
  • eccentric form
Synonyms
  • oval

    the common, everyday word; no technical feeling

  • elliptical

    more precise in geometry; describes a specific mathematical oval shape

Antonyms

Usage Note

A relatively rare use of 'eccentric' that simply means 'oval-shaped.' Most speakers use 'oval' instead. This sense belongs almost entirely to technical or descriptive writing.

eccentric — noun

Word family

  • eccentricity
    nounB2
  • eccentrically
    adverbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five words describe someone or something that differs from what is normal, but they differ in tone and scope. 'Eccentric' is the most neutral-to-warm term, suggesting unusual behaviour that is amusing or endearing rather than troubling. 'Odd' is the most neutral and colourless — it states that something is not normal without any emotional judgement. 'Peculiar' adds a sense of distinctiveness: something that is strange in a way that belongs specifically to that person or thing. 'Quirky' is light and playful, describing unexpected habits that are charming rather than irritating. 'Unconventional' focuses on the deliberate choice to reject social norms, with an often admiring or respectful tone. For example, an eccentric aunt might keep unusual pets; a quirky friend might paint their house bright pink; an unconventional artist might use rubbish as materials; an odd sound might come from a broken machine; and a peculiar smell might linger in a room where no one can identify its source.

eccentric ↗odd ↗peculiar ↗quirkyunconventional ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • slightly eccentric
  • rather eccentric
  • highly eccentric
  • mildly eccentric
  • distinctly eccentric

Phrases

  • eccentric in one's dress
  • eccentric in one's habits

Prepositions

  • eccentric in

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

From Greek 'ekkentros', meaning 'out of centre' (ek- 'out of' + kentron 'centre'), via Latin 'eccentricus' and Middle French 'eccentrique'. The original geometric meaning — 'not sharing the same centre point' — entered English in the 14th century. By the 17th century, writers began using it figuratively for people whose behaviour was 'off-centre' relative to social norms, giving rise to the modern sense of pleasingly odd or unusual.