adjective

eclectic

ih-KLEK-tik/ɪˈklektɪk/

Drawing ideas, styles, or tastes from a variety of sources.

The eclectic furnishings combine antique, modern, and industrial styles.

A deliberately coordinated seating nook combines conspicuously different furniture and decorative styles: an ornate antique armchair, a sleek modern chrome-and-glass side table, a geometric woven rug, an industrial task lamp, and a colorful abstract painting.

Etymology

ecGreekout

+lectGreekgather, choose

+icGreekpertaining to

The underlying image is “picking out.” The word first described philosophers who selected doctrines from different systems, then broadened to describe anything drawn from diverse sources or styles.

In context

Bunny Guinness6:02

wind if it's a windy day but it's sunk down and tucked away yeah the interesting back of the house it's a beautiful back of the house it looks very eclectic doesn't it with all different styles

Acclaimed author, Plum Sykes in her ‘Beatrix Potter fantasy Garden’

More examples

The room's eclectic furnishings come from several periods.
He draws on an eclectic mix of philosophical traditions.
The festival attracts people with eclectic tastes.

Forms

eclectic · more eclectic · most eclectic

eclecticism noun — selection from varied sources or styles

Similar words

varied: Describes diversity without implying deliberate selection from different sources.
syncretic: Syncretic blends different systems into one; eclectic selects from varied sources without necessarily unifying them.