Etymology Map
Back to all words

Unique

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means being the only one of its kind

Where does the word "unique" come from? It comes from Latin unicus, passing through French before entering English (1600s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
unicus
Latin · ancient
"single, sole"
from 'unus', one
2
Stage 2 of 3
unique
French · 1500s
"single"
Latin 'unicus' meant alone of its kind, from 'unus', one; English took it around 1600 as 'single, solitary'
3
Stage 3 of 3
unique
English · 1600s
"single"
the loose sense 'unusual' dates from the 1800s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Unique’s story begins in Latin: unicus meant “single, sole.” From 'unus', one. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as unique. Latin 'unicus' meant alone of its kind, from 'unus', one; English took it around 1600 as 'single, solitary'. It reached English by 1600s as unique. The loose sense 'unusual' dates from the 1800s. Today, unique means being the only one of its kind.