The first time you hear the word “atypical,” it’s easy to assume these are two words. After keen observation, you will discover that “atypical” is a single word. If you have recently come across the word but are uncertain about the atypical definition and meaning, you have come to the right place.
“Atypical” (adjective): It means “deviating from the norm.” Or “odd, strange, or not normal.” “Atypical” does not mean that the behavior is wrong, but rather it is not what people would expect. Use the word in your sentences when discussing something that is not natural or normal.
However, the word “atypical” is complex with numerous meanings. Before you start using it in your sentences, it is vital to learn the different meanings, spellings, and pronunciations. That will give you confidence since you will be certain that you are using the word correctly.
What Is the Definition of Atypical?
“Atypical” (adjective): Not conforming to the normal types. When you go through life, you will notice some strange things out of the norm. Describe these people, things, or situations as “atypical.” Simply put, use the word when describing something that you did not expect.
The word “atypical” has the same meaning as “unusual”; the only difference is that atypical carries more objective feelings. “Atypical” is mainly used when talking about things backed up with facts or scientific findings, while “unusual” is casual and mostly highlights things that do not have a scientific concept.
Example sentences:
- It is interesting to study the atypical development of an infant.
- Her diagnosis was an atypical psychotic disorder.
- She panicked when she noticed that she was developing atypical hair growth in the chest and abdomen.
What Is the Meaning of Atypical?
“Atypical,” still as an adjective, means “an antipsychotic drug” when used in the medical field. These drugs have fewer effects on movement than the previously used antipsychotic drugs.
Example sentences:
- According to atypical clinic findings, these antipsychotic drugs are more effective.
- She used the atypical antipsychotic drug, and she has not experienced any side effects.
- The atypical antipsychotic drug numbs his body; he has stopped taking the medication.
Can Atypical Mean Difficult?
According to the earlier atypical definition, the word means something unusual or irregular. But can the word also mean difficult? Yes, the word atypical can mean something difficult, but that depends on the context and how you use it.
Example sentences:
- The lecturer dictated the whole lesson and wrote down some atypical words on the board.
- Joan tried to teach her friends the new song, but it was quite atypical to sing along.
- Mark tried to narrate his encounter with the criminals, but his story was atypical to follow.
Do the Words Atypical, Untypical, and Non-typical Have the Same Meaning?
Yes, these three words are synonyms, and so they have the same meaning and definition. But the one that is commonly used is “atypical.” Let us look at synonyms and antonyms of “atypical.”
Here is a list of words with the same meaning as the word atypical.
- Unusual
- Odd
- Deviant
- Bizarre
- Unorthodox
- Ironic
- Scoffing
- Derisive
- Phenomenal
- Uncustomary
- Unique
- Unwonted
- Abnormal
- Freak
- Anomalous
Here is a word that is the opposite of atypical.”
- Familiar
- Typical
- Customary
- Unexceptional
- Classic
- General
- Usual
- Popular
- Accustomed
- Habitual
- Traditional
- Frequent
- Nonsingular
- Normal
- Recognized
Here is a list of words with the same sound as “atypical.”
- Critical
- Identical
- Medical
- Revival
- Nominal
- Professional
- Spiral
- Essential
- Practical
- Dismissal
- Equal
- Initial
- General
- Methodical
- Personal
Words that often get used when discussing atypical.
- Normal
- Unrepresentative
- Irregular
- Behavior
How to Use Atypical in a Sentence
It is important to learn how to use “atypical” in a sentence. The first thing you need to understand is that this is an adjective that describes something that does not conform to the norm.
The word also describes something different in a noticeable way. For instance, if a horror movie is “atypical,” it could mean that the monsters are trying to be friends with the people in the movie.
Family Words of Atypical
Here is a look at words from the same family as typical.
Atypically (adverb): In a manner that is not typical
Example sentences:
- Thomas was atypically American; he was shy, silent, and liked to keep to himself.
- We noticed that the witness was atypically silent during the interview.
- The entertainment was atypically interesting; it is no wonder that most of the guests seemed to enjoy it.
How to Use Atypical in Different Contexts
“Atypical” is a broad word that you’ll find in different contexts. The good thing is you will hardly find it hard to know the meaning of this word even with a change of context. In most cases, the meaning “not usual” remains. Here are a few instances where you will find this word.
- Employment
In every employment setup, the employer and employee are expected to enter into a contract stipulating the work terms. Some contracts can be referred to as “atypical contracts.” Such contracts are questionable and fail to adhere to legal employment contracts.
For instance: Mary regrets signing an atypical contract that forces her to work 17 hours a day. That shows Mary signed a very compromised and unusual contract.
- Development
Any development, whether biological or structural, ought to follow a certain known pattern. A deviation will be termed an “atypical development.” Such scenarios are common among humans and plants. In a sentence: Atypical development is a common feature among most autistic teens.
Atypical development is also showcased among people of a certain culture. For instance, if your culture expects you to develop and do some things in a certain way and deviate, it becomes unusual. Use this word to describe changes in communities that are quite radical in their way of doing things.
- Communication
Atypical communication can be looked at in various ways. First, if you had agreed on something and someone changes the whole story to something that none of you expected, they will have “atypically communicated.” Another instance of atypical communication is when referring to children over two years with delayed communication capabilities. Atypical in this case means unexpected delay.
10 Examples of Atypical in a Sentence
It can be challenging to learn the usage of a word just by looking at its definition and meaning. So, it helps to read sentences with the word to understand its usage properly. Look at these ten sentences with the word “atypical,” and you will have some inspiration to create your sentences.
- It is atypical in modern society for vegetarians to eat meat.
- The musical board meeting agreed to pick two atypical minority local artists, to perform at the event.
- My daughter wanted an atypical dog, but when we got to the shelter, she saw the many atypical breeds and chose to get a chow breed.
- If you require antipsychotic medications, consider getting prolactin sparing as it is effective and does not have atypical side effects.
- I got excruciating pain just below the ribs; this pain is known as atypical angina.
- It is strange how atypical depression is one of the most prevalent forms of the condition.
- During the show, the presence of major actors like Luke and Joey made the other actors seem atypical.
- It is atypical to see large families these days. Everybody wants to embrace minimalism, even on matters of family.
- During the introduction of the main speaker, the bouncer described her as remarkable and atypical.
- The newer atypical medicines are changing the face of mental illness.
How Do You Spell Atypical?
The proper way to spell “atypical” is “A.T.Y.P.I.C.A.L.”
A common error most people who first learn this word make when spelling it is to assume that it is two words and they leave a space between the “a” and “t.”
How Do You Pronounce Atypical?
The correct spelling of this word is “ay·ti·puh·kl
Proper pronunciation of a word is just as important as its spelling. Any mistake you make when pronouncing the word “atypical” might lead to people not understanding what you’re saying.
How Many Syllables Are Atypical?
The word “atypical” has four syllables.
These divisions of the syllables are “a.typ.i.cal.” Knowing the divisions gives you an easier time when learning the spelling and pronunciation of a word. The syllables are the division of the words, making it easy for you to understand.
History & Etymology of Atypical
The word “atypical” combines the prefix “a’, which means “not,’ with the word typical, which means “something of a certain type.” So the combination of these two means “not typical.”
The word “a” originates from Greek. The word “typical” is from the Greek word ‘typos’ and was later adopted by the Latin and used as “typicalis” before the English language borrowed it and changed it to typical. The meaning still remains.
When Was Atypical First Used?
The first record of the word “atypical” dates back to 1880.
Conclusion
Strange people, things, and happenings are a part of life, and they are described in one word as “atypical.” Now that you have read the atypical definition, meaning, and usage in a sentence, you can now tell your colleagues more about this word. More so, feel free to share creative sentences you have created with this word.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.