atypical
Outside the norm
Atypical means not typical—deviating from what's normal or expected.
An atypical presentation of a disease shows unusual symptoms.
An atypical response differs from the standard one.
The word appears frequently in medical and scientific contexts but works anywhere something breaks from pattern: It was an atypical choice for someone so conservative.
Not often encountered
- uncommonSeldom occurring or found
- abnormalDeviating from typical
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- anomalousDeviating from expected norms
peculiar · odd · strange · aberrant · nonstandard · unconventional · unorthodox · bizarre
Rejects prevailing social standards
- maverickIndependent-minded rule-breaker
- outsiderOne excluded from group
- rebelAuthority defier
- iconoclastAttacker of cherished beliefs
eccentric · individualist · bohemian · original · pioneer · innovator · dissident · contrarian
Non-standard brain function
- neurodivergentHaving atypical brain function
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
- pathologyStudy of disease processes
deviation · abnormality · variant · irregular · uncharacteristic · nonstandard
Seldom found or seen
- scarceIn short supply
- infrequentHappening only occasionally
- seldomOn few occasions
- sparseThinly scattered or distributed
uncommon · occasional · limited · unique · exceptional · singular · exotic · novel
Not anticipated beforehand
- surprisingCausing mild shock
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
startling · sudden · anomalous · disconcerting · baffling · bewildering · astonishing · shocking
unusual
Not often encountered
- uncommonSeldom occurring or found
- abnormalDeviating from typical
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
anomalous · peculiar · odd · strange · aberrant · nonstandard · unconventional · unorthodox · bizarre · eccentric
nonconformist
Rejects prevailing social standards
iconoclast · eccentric · individualist · bohemian · original · pioneer · innovator · dissident · contrarian · heretic
neuroatypical
Non-standard brain function
- neurodivergentHaving atypical brain function
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- diagnosisIdentification of illness
pathology · deviation · abnormality · variant · irregular · uncharacteristic · nonstandard
rare
Seldom found or seen
- scarceIn short supply
- infrequentHappening only occasionally
- seldomOn few occasions
sparse · uncommon · occasional · limited · unique · exceptional · singular · exotic · novel · esoteric
unexpected
Not anticipated beforehand
- surprisingCausing mild shock
- unforeseenNot predicted or expected
- unanticipatedNot predicted beforehand
unpredictable · startling · sudden · anomalous · disconcerting · baffling · bewildering · astonishing · shocking · abrupt
- Odditiescuriosity, curio, unusual, odd, strange
- rarityrare, scarce, uncommon, infrequent, scant
- unconventionalunconventional, nontraditional, nonconformist, unorthodox, offbeat
- A- wordsamoral, apathy, atheist, asymmetric, asymmetry
- cytologycytology, Pap test, cell division, cytoplasm, chromosome
- eye-catchingstriking, conspicuous, noticeable, prominent, eye-catching