unique
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- single, lone, only, solitary
- unparalleled, incomparable, inimitable, matchless, unequalled, unmatched, unrivalled

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English Thesaurus: different, unique, distinctive, unlike, have nothing in common, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

u‧nique S3 W2 AC /juːˈniːk/ adjective [no comparative]
[Word Family: noun: uniqueness; adverb: uniquely; adjective: unique]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: French; Origin: Latin unicus, from unus 'one']

1. informal unusually good and special:
a unique opportunity to study these rare creatures

2. being the only one of its kind:
Each person’s fingerprints are unique.

3. unique to somebody/something existing only in a particular place or in relation to a particular person or people:
The issues being discussed here are not unique to the US.
—uniquely adverb:
an actor uniquely suited to the part
—uniqueness noun [uncountable]

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

unique
adj.
VERBS be | make sb/sth Its magnificent proportions make this palace unique among the buildings of the world.
ADV. quite, totally, truly The city has an atmosphere which is quite unique.
by no means, far from, hardly Although such a case is rare, it is by no means unique.
almost, virtually | apparently
PREP. to This monkey is unique to the island.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

unique
adjective
DUBIOUS: It's one of the most unique pieces of architecture in Spain.
GOOD: It's one of the most unusual pieces of architecture in Spain.

Usage Note:
Unique usually describes something that is the only one of its kind: 'Lennon will be remembered for his songs and for his unique sense of humour.'
In informal styles unique is sometimes used with more/most/rather etc. to mean 'unusual': 'This rather unique little restaurant is very popular with the locals.' This use of unique is considered by careful users to be incorrect.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

different if something or someone is different, they are not like something or someone else, or they are not like they were before:
You look different. Have you had your hair cut?
We’ve painted the door a different colour.
The cultures of the two countries are very different.
unique very different, special, or unusual and the only one of its kind. Don’t use words such as very before unique:
The book is certainly very rare, and possibly unique.
the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands
distinctive having a special feature or appearance that makes something different from other things, and makes it easy to recognize:
Male birds have distinctive blue and yellow markings.
unlike [prep] completely different from a particular person or thing:
In Britain, unlike the United States, the government provides health care.
have nothing in common if two people have nothing in common, they do not have the same interests or opinions and therefore cannot form a friendly relationship:
Apart from the fact that we went to the same school, we have absolutely nothing in common.
there’s no/little resemblance used when saying that two people or things seem very different:
There’s no resemblance between the two sisters at all.
The final product bore no resemblance to the original proposal (=it was very different).
dissimilar formal not the same as something else:
These four politically dissimilar states have all signed a treaty of friendship and cooperation.
be like chalk and cheese British English informal if two people are like chalk and cheese, they are completely different:
It’s hard to believe that they’re brothers – they’re like chalk and cheese!
be (like) apples and oranges American English informal used when saying that two people or things are very different:
You can't compare residential and commercial real estate markets. It's apples and oranges.
Obama and Romney are apples and oranges.
Comparing homemade soup to canned soup is really comparing apples and oranges.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲