Eclectic Meaning
/ɛkˈlɛk.tɪk/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjSelecting a mixture of what appears to be best of various doctrines, methods or styles.
adjUnrelated and unspecialized; heterogeneous.
Sentence Examples
Her eclectic taste was evident from the unusual decor of the room.
Tom has an eclectic taste in music.
Her house is a reflection of her eclectic sensibilities.
CEFR Practice Quiz
His ____ music collection included jazz, opera, and Mongolian throat singing.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Her ____ taste was evident from the unusual decor of the room.
Word Origin & History
From French éclectique, from Ancient Greek ἐκλεκτικός (eklektikós, “selective”), from ἐκλέγω (eklégō, “to pick, choose”), from ἐκ (ek, “out, from”) + λέγω (légō, “to choose, count”). Cognate to elect.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Chunder Sen and the Progressive Brahmists broke entirely with Hinduism...and he selected from the scriptures of all creeds what seemed best in them for instruction and for worship. […] It is an eclectic religion: it seeks to select what is good from all religions, and it has become the latest evidence that no eclectic religion can ever influence large numbers of men."
— 1893, John Robson, Hinduism and its Relations to Christianity, pages 211, 214:
"Though rooted in jazz, Byron's music is stylistically eclectic."
— 2017 August 2, Seth Rogovoy, Don Byron and Friends to Explore Early Soul Music at Helsinki Hudson, archived from the original on 18 May 2025:
"All members of the Hominoidea, apes and man, show an eclectic taste in food but select, from a wide range of possibilities, only a few to provide the bulk of their diet."
— 1983, Peter J. Wilson, Man, the Promising Primate: The Conditions of Human Evolution, page 140:
"Colvin said Obama has an eclectic taste in music, listening to everything from Indonesian flute music to OutKast to Motown."
— 2006, W. Frederick Zimmerman, Should Barack Obama Be President?, page 153:
"The Austrians concentrated their entire armored formation into the 1st Division; the 2nd Division consisted solely of the wooden ship of the line Kaiser, looking incredibly out of place in a battle of ironclads, along with five frigates; and the 3rd Division had an eclectic collection of smaller gunboats and armed merchantmen."
— 2018 September 26, Drachinifel, 2:30 from the start, in The Battle of Lissa - Special, archived from the original on 09 Aug 2023:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
His ____ music collection included jazz, opera, and Mongolian throat singing.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Her ____ taste was evident from the unusual decor of the room.