French word

unique

Pronunciation

IPA/ynik/

Meaning

  • adjectiveonly

Example

C'est l'unique occasion de visiter le musée.

This is the only opportunity to visit the museum.

Illustration for unique (only)

More examples

Son style est unique en son genre.

His style is one of a kind.

Core concept

One item stands alone in its category, with no matching counterpart.

Common phrases

  • le seul et unique

    the one and only

  • une unique occasion

    a unique opportunity

  • unique en son genre

    one of a kind

Similar words

seul: The only one of its kind.
exceptionnel: Far above the ordinary in quality or distinction.
rare: Uncommon or difficult to obtain.
singulier: Unusually different from what is normal.

Definition in French

Qui est seul de son genre et n'a pas d'équivalent.

Word origin

French unique comes from Latin unicus, built on unus, meaning 'one', with the suffix -icus.

Usage tips

  • Unlike seul, which can simply mean alone or only one, unique emphasizes having no equivalent of the same kind.

Other meanings

  • one-of-a-kindadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word