atypical
Americanadjective
-
not typical; not conforming to the type; irregular; abnormal.
atypical behavior; a flower atypical of the species.
adjective
-
not typical; deviating from or not conforming to type
Usage
What does atypical mean? Atypical is used to describe something that does not conform to the norm or that is irregular, such as an atypical behavior or an atypical action.Something that is atypical differs in a noticeable way from other items of its kind. An atypical flower might be a flower that glows in the dark (if you discover one, let us know!). An atypical horror film could be one in which the monster tries to be friends with everyone rather than kill them.Example: These fixtures are atypical of our usual products.
Other Word Forms
- atypicality noun
- atypically adverb
Etymology
Origin of atypical
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Yet one magnetic painting is atypical of that first stay in the Taos area: a striking ponderosa pine.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026
Naturally, the pool of films shortlisted for the 2021 Oscars looked much different than it otherwise might have, making that year’s nominees both thrillingly diverse and completely atypical.
From Salon • Feb. 23, 2026
Oftentimes, these atypical acquiring editors grew their online book communities for several years before landing at Bindery.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026
Importantly, lower activity in these regions could predict whether a child had typical or atypical math abilities.
From Science Daily • Feb. 15, 2026
Most of the parks had benches, and if the weather was pleasant, he’d sit, read, think, and just be, an activity not atypical of many men entering late life.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.