eclectic

[ ih-klek-tik ]
/ ɪˈklɛk tɪk /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR eclectic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

selecting or choosing from various sources.
made up of what is selected from different sources.
not following any one system, as of philosophy, medicine, etc., but selecting and using what are considered the best elements of all systems.
noting or pertaining to works of architecture, decoration, landscaping, etc., produced by a certain person or during a certain period, that derive from a wide range of historic styles, the style in each instance often being chosen for its fancied appropriateness to local tradition, local geography, the purpose to be served, or the cultural background of the client.

noun

Also ec·lec·ti·cist [ih-klek-tuh-sist] /ɪˈklɛk tə sɪst/. a person who follows an eclectic method, as in philosophy or architecture.

Origin of eclectic

1675–85; < Greek eklektikós selective, equivalent to eklekt(ós) chosen, select ( eklég(ein) to pick out + -tos past participle suffix; see ec-) + -ikos -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM eclectic

Words nearby eclectic

eckert, eckhart, eclabium, eclampsia, eclamptogenic, eclectic, eclecticism, eclipse, eclipse period, eclipse plumage, eclipsing binary

Words related to eclectic

broad, diverse, varied, wide-ranging, catholic, universal, liberal, assorted, heterogeneous, inclusive, mixed, multifarious, selective, dilettantish, diversified, many-sided, multiform, all-embracing

Example sentences from the Web for eclectic

British Dictionary definitions for eclectic

eclectic
/ (ɪˈklɛktɪk, ɛˈklɛk-) /

adjective

(in art, philosophy, etc) selecting what seems best from various styles, doctrines, ideas, methods, etc
composed of elements drawn from a variety of sources, styles, etc

noun

a person who favours an eclectic approach, esp in art or philosophy

Derived forms of eclectic

eclectically, adverb

Word Origin for eclectic

C17: from Greek eklektikos, from eklegein to select, from legein to gather