Idiosyncrasy
mediumNeutral toneid-ee-oh-SING-kruh-see
noun
Definition
A peculiar habit, mannerism, or characteristic that is distinctive to an individual or group
Memory hook
IDIO-SYN-CRASY: your OWN unique CRAZY mixture of traits — a personal quirk.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“Her idiosyncrasy of humming while working annoyed her colleagues but made her more memorable in the office.”
“The musician's idiosyncrasy of playing with his eyes closed became his signature performance style.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“Her ______ of humming while working annoyed her colleagues but made her more memorable in the office.”
Show answer
idiosyncrasy
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Idiosyncrasy is a medium-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "peculiarity" or "eccentricity" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "conformity".
Related GRE Words
boorish
rude, ill-mannered, and insensitive
bootlicker
A person who behaves obsequiously to gain favor; a sycophant
condone
to overlook, forgive, or tacitly approve of an offense
decorum
Behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety
deferential
Showing respect and courteous regard for another's wishes
demure
Reserved, modest, and shy; affectedly modest
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