unique
/y.nik/
one of a kind
Cette œuvre est unique dans le monde.
This work is unique in the world.
formal
Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else.
Il possède un talent unique.
He possesses a unique talent.
Used to emphasize rarity or singularity.
formal
Being the only one; sole.
C'est la seule et unique solution.
It is the one and only solution.
Often used with 'seul' for emphasis (le seul et unique).
Collocations
le seul et uniquethe one and onlyune pièce uniquea unique piece
Synonyms
Pro Tip
False Friend Alert
Do not use 'unique' to mean 'weird' in French. If you say 'Il est unique', you mean he is special/one-of-a-kind, not that he is strange.
Word Origin
From Latin 'unicus', meaning 'single' or 'only'.
Usage Notes
In French, 'unique' strictly means 'one of a kind' or 'sole'. It does not carry the informal English connotation of 'weird' or 'strange'. To express 'weird', use 'bizarre' or 'étrange'.
Dictionnaire Français-Anglais