Eccentric means unusual or quirky in a way that makes someone stand out from others, but not in a troubling way. An eccentric person does things differently than most people, following their own interests and habits without worrying much about fitting in.

An eccentric inventor might wear mismatched socks every day and insist on eating breakfast foods for dinner. An eccentric neighbor might paint their house bright purple or collect hundreds of ceramic frogs. These behaviors are odd, but they're harmless and often interesting.

The word usually carries a sense of fondness or curiosity rather than criticism. When we call someone eccentric, we're acknowledging they're different while respecting their right to be themselves. Some of history's greatest scientists, artists, and inventors were considered eccentric: they were so focused on their passions that they ignored what others thought was “normal.”

The noun form is eccentricity. You might say that wearing a cape to school every day is an eccentricity, or that your uncle's eccentricities include speaking to his houseplants and keeping his thermostat at exactly 67 degrees.

Being eccentric is different from being rude or disruptive. Eccentric people may seem odd, but they're typically kind and let others live as they choose.