What does UNIQUE mean? - The English Definition

You know the world of English is a fun and exciting place to be

I'm so glad you could join us for another lesson

Today we are going to look at a very small word.

A very short word.

A word you might hear used from time to time.

It is a special word that means

something that can't be found everywhere.

Something that is very unusual.

Perhaps something that is incredibly rare.

Today we will take a look at the word...

unique

Derived from the Latin word for ‘one’, the word ‘unique’ is an adjective that defines something that is one of a kind

or unlike anything else.

In mathematics the word ‘unique’ is defined as an absolute. That is to say it cannot be measured in degrees.

It is either unique or not unique.

However, this rule is not so relevant in everyday use.

So it is not unusual to hear words such as ‘very’ or ‘quite’ used as modifiers.

You might say that the use of ‘unique’

is not necessarily used in a unique way.

A special thing that cannot be found in large quantities might be described as unique.

You might describe one thing in a group as being unique.

This means that it is rarely seen or does not normally exist in that particular situation.

A certain type of flower in a garden might appear unique, if its characteristics are different from all the other plants surrounding it.

A unique moment of time might occur more than once over a long period of time.

A singer might have a unique voice.

They are able to reach notes that most other singers cannot.

So a rare thing might be described as ‘quite unique’ or ‘very unique’.

A unique thing might be expressed as being ‘one in a million’.

An opportunity or chance to do something that may change your life in a positive way

can be described as a ‘unique’ opportunity.

To have an unusual ability that may have not been seen before is unique.

To stand out from the rest is to be unique.

A unique thing can be described as a ‘one off’ ‘One in a million’ ‘outstanding’ ‘one of a kind’.

When describing something unique; a person might say that ‘they broke the mould when they made that’.

This phrase expresses the total uniqueness of an individual thing or person.

It is a one off.

It will never be created again. It is outstanding.

The thing or person being discussed is unique.

Do you have something or know someone who could be described as unique?

Do you have something that only exists where you are?

Perhaps it is a piece of jewellery, or maybe a friend who is like no other.

Let me know in the comment section below this video if you do.

This is Mr Duncan in the birthplace of English saying...

see you soon and of course...

ta ta for now.