How would you define eccentric?

Question

Can you give examples of this behaviour?

Thank you.

Answer 1

In popular usage, eccentricity refers to unusual or odd behavior on the part of an individual. This behavior would typically be perceived as unusual or unnecessary, without being demonstrably maladaptive. Eccentricity is contrasted with "normal" behavior, the nearly universal means by which individuals in society solve given problems and pursue certain priorities in everyday life. For people who consistently display benignly eccentric behavior, there is a label: "eccentrics".

Eccentricity is often associated with genius, giftedness, or extreme creativity. The individual's eccentric behavior is perceived to be the outward expression of his unique intelligence or creative impulse [1]In this vein, the eccentric's habits are incomprehensible not because they are illogical or the result of madness, but because they stem from a mind so original that it cannot be conformed to societal norms. In this vein, Edith Sitwell wrote:

Eccentricity is not, as some would believe, a form of madness. It is often a kind of innocent pride, and the man of genius and the aristocrat are frequently regarded as eccentrics because genius and aristocrat are entirely unafraid of and uninfluenced by the opinions and vagaries of the crowd.

Answer 2

Eccentric essentially means that you act or do things differently than what is generally accepted (the root words literally mean "out of center"). But, this is without being crazy or dangerous. For example, my eccentric uncle got complaints from his neighbors about the poor condition of his lawn, so he tore it out, put in cement and painted the cement green. It takes a certain degree of cojones to be eccentric I suppose.

Eccentric people usually understand that what they are doing is different but think their way is better (as opposed to crazy people who think what they do is normal). Eccentricities are usually just a bit offbeat rather than being way out of line with societal expectations. Eccentrics are often arrogant, though not necessarily so. They also often take great pride in their eccentricities and some are eccentric for the sake of being eccentric.

Answer 3

An eccentric person is one who refuses to adhere to what society thinks they should be and how they should behave.
I consider myself eccentric because I have an imagination that is far more developed than others my age (I'm 32.) I am always creating stories in my head and imagining I am a certain character. Another example would be an old lady who prefers the company of her 20 cats to other people. Another would be a man who talks to pigeons like they are people.
We eccentrics are not crazy or weird: We just march to the beat of our own drum and refuse to let society define who we are.

Answer 4

Eccentric defines a person with an unusual or odd behaviour or personality. It could be the way they dress, things that person do or like, which is seen as bizarre or outlandish to society.

Answer 5

I would, of course, define it eccentricly.
It means the love of an unusual but harmless style of dress, behaviour, objects or goals. Such as collecting novelty hats, or being scrupulously honest while working as a stockbroker.
One symptom of eccentricity is a complete distain for the established opinions of the secure majority of people.

Answer 6

Eccentric, it is that what is considered in us paupers as weird! An example would be that man (I think it was Holland) that has built an ark.

Answer 7

deviating from the recognized or customary character, practice, etc.; irregular; erratic; peculiar; odd: eccentric conduct; an eccentric person.